Enhancing the climate of confidence to sustain peace process
Egypt-Spain, Politics, 2/14/2001

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak termed as good and historical relations between Egypt and Spain, expressing hope for stepping up cooperation between the two countries so that these ties may further progress and prosper.

This came during a joint press conference held Tuesday by President Mubarak with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

At the beginning of the news conference, Mubarak welcomed Aznar in Cairo. The Prime Minister of Spain, a friendly country which has a very good and long-standing relationship with Egypt.

President Mubarak invited Aznar to visit Egypt often to beef up cooperation between Egypt and Spain as was agreed upon. Aznar said that since he had assumed office, he worked for pushing bilateral relations forward because, although they were good, they needed a further push.

Aznar referred to the progress made through his talks with President Mubarak and to a financial protocol signed between Egypt and Spain. He also pointed out to the partnership agreement between Egypt and the European Union.

Aznar seized the opportunity of being in Egypt to discuss the current conditions in the region, he said, adding that he was hopeful relations and talks with Egypt would help further stability in the area.

Queried about the possibility of Egypt returning a Spanish prisoner jailed in Egypt after his health deteriorated, President Mubarak said that Egypt applies the rule of law. On the prisoner's deteriorating health condition, Mubarak said that he could have a check-up and if his health was that bad, he would be released.

Asked about the peace process, Aznar said that it is absurd to lose all the achievements made through the peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis. "Talks have been going on during the past years and they should bear a final and stable outcome eventually," he said.

Aznar thought that the Palestinian and Israeli sides, at present, were closest than ever before to a permanent status agreement.

Aznar spoke against wasting the gains made so far in the peace process. if we were close to an agreement, we should not distance ourselves, on the contrary, we should help enhance the climate of confidence to sustain the peace process. "In this vein, the European Union would have a role," he said.

President Mubarak, answering the same query on Sharon's provocative statements, said we were used to such statements since Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who referred to Egypt as "our enemies in the south".

President Mubarak, however, said that he did not want to re-open the issue after they closed it in Israel. He also said that Egypt will remain cautious and adopt a wait-and-see policy.

Asked about whether the coming days would see a resurgence of the EU role in the peace process in light of Aznar's tour of the region, President Mubarak said he hopes, when Aznar assumes the presidency of the EU in mid-2002, he will invigorate the role of the EU as regards peace. Aznar, queried about the possibility of holding a Madrid-II Peace Conference amid the current circumstances, said October 2001will see the holding of a conference to mark the tenth anniversary of the convocation of the first Madrid conference.

He said that it is convenient to start working and thinking now to reach positive results, especially that Spain will assume the coming term of the EU presidency.

President Mubarak, on his part, said there was no time to waste on a Madrid-II because Madrid-I had already laid the foundations of a peaceful solution to the case. "If there is a will for peace, all parties should work accordingly.

Previous Stories:
  Enhancing the climate of confidence to sustain peace process   (2/13/2001)
  Aznar's second visit to Cairo mirrors the warmth of relations   (2/12/2001)
  Moussa in Madrid discusses bilateral relations, ME peace process   (1/30/2001)

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