Mubarak-Bush summit to focus on the peace process, Iraq and free trade zone
Egypt-USA, Politics, 3/17/2001

Well-informed US sources said intensive contacts are underway between Cairo and Washington in preparation for President Mubarak's planned visit to the US capital early next month.

The sources noted that Mubarak-Bush summit on April 2 will focus on the issues of free trade zone between Egypt and the United States, developments of the peace process and Iraqi crisis.

US sources said contacts which were held between Cairo and Washington in preparation for President Mubarak's visit to the United States have provided the US administration with the chance to get acquainted with the guidelines of Egypt's standpoint regarding the latest developments.

The sources said President Mubarak would inform President Bush during their meeting at the White House of further details on the sufferings of the Palestinian people as a result of denial of their rights and the Israeli policies which have created a feeling of frustration and despair among the Palestinian people.

US sources said President Bush administrations interested in listening to President Mubarak's views and his assessment of the situation in Iraq and the US policy towards Iraq.

Well informed sources in the US capital expressed their confidence that the issue of bilateral relations would be given special emphasis in Egyptian US talks which will be held during President Mubarak's visit.

The sources said the two sides will tackle during the visit certain subjects agreements and ideas mainly the among which are issues of economic, commercial cooperation, the establishment of free trade zone, technology transfer and the future of US aid to Egypt.

In the context of preparation for President Mubarak's visit to the United States, Prime Minister Dr. Atef Ebeid reviewed at his meeting today with members of the US Chamber of Commerce the working papers of the economic file which will be given top priority in President Mubarak's talks with the US administration.

The economic file includes a number of important issues such as the volume of Egyptian exports to the US and providing privileges to the Egyptian commodities in the US market and increasing US investments in Egypt.

Eng. Sameh Fahmy, the Minister of Oil said the sector of petroleum represents one of the important sectors in attracting US investments, indicating that US investments in the sector of oil in Egypt is expected to reach 3-4 billion dollars in the year 2005.

The Minister of petroleum said total US investments in Egypt until the year 2000 amounted to 11.6 billion dollars.

Diplomatic sources in Cairo said President Mubarak's visit to Washington would witness meetings with officials in the US administration, members of the Congress, chairmen of a number of US companies and the press.

Ambassador Hager Al Islamboully the Assistant Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs said a delegation from the US Chamber of Commerce would visit the United States on March 25 to prepare for the visit in which the economic side would be given special significance in the light of plans by Egypt and the United States to declare the establishment of free trade zone between them.

Previous Stories:
  Bush to meet with the Jordanian King after meeting with Mubarak   (3/7/2001)
  US congress report: Egypt plays key role in peace process   (3/3/2001)
  Egypt's relations with the United States strategic   (3/1/2001)

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