Peace march, bilateral relations high on agenda of Mubarak's talks in Rome
Egypt-Italy, Politics, 2/19/2001

Egypt's President Mubarak started on Sunday a three-day visit to Italy during which he would have important talks with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Prime Minister Giuliano Amato and Pope of the Vatican John PaulII.

During his visit to Rome, the President will address the board of governors of the International Fund for Agricultural development.

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said President Mubarak's talks with the Italian President and Prime Minister would deal with ways of reactivating bilateral relations, Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, the Middle East peace issue, and the latest developments in Iraq.

During the talks, Egypt and Italy would sign an economic agreement under which part of the Egyptian outstanding debts to Italy would be transferred into grants for financing development projects in Egypt.

President Mubarak will have a session of talks with the Italian President that will be sustained on a working luncheon.

In the evening, the President will move to kigi palace where he will have a second session with Italian Prime MinisterG. Amato followed by a press conference.

The Italian Prime Minister will host a dinner banquet in honour of President Mubarak and his accompanying delegation.

Tomorrow morning the President will move to the seat of the pope of the Vatican in a reply visit to the historic visit paid by the Pope to Egypt last February.

Then the President will move to the premises of the Italian industries federation.

Egypt and Italy attach much significance to President Mubarak's talks in Rome. The political atmosphere shrouding the important visit manifested this.

AL Ahram lays emphasis on these points in connection with the visit:

- This visit comes after the Israeli elections. Italy is eager to listen to President Mubarak's views on the latest developments in the region. Based on the assessment to be made by President Mubarak, Italy would determine its future move towards the peace process.

- Bilateral relations between Egypt and Italy are deep and based on historical and cultural links between the two people

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak Italian visit focus on political coordination   (2/17/2001)
  Mubarak, Ciampi discuss Israel's attacks against Lebanon   (2/17/2000)

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