Maher in France for talks with Chirac, Verdrine
Egypt-France, Politics, 7/25/2001

The Egyptian Minister Ahmed Maher started talks with President Jacques Chirac late Tuesday.The meeting was attended by Ambassador Ali Maher as well as the political advisor of Chirac.

Speaking to MENA, Maher said he will hand a message from President Hosni Mubarak to Chirac on promoting bilateral relations and the recent developments in the Middle East.

In press statements following the talks, Maher said the message carried an analysis of the current situation in the Middle East.

He added the talks with Chirac proved that both countries share identical viewpoints over the need to halt the deterioration in the Middle East situation, noting that both Presidents are constantly in contact.

Maher said that meeting Chirac mirrors keenness of France on boosting ties with Egypt in all domains as well as maintaining consultations over the Middle East peace process.

A statement by the French Foreign Ministry praised efforts by Mubarak for pushing the Middle East peace process forward.

"France is always keen on consulting with Egypt on means to break the currently dead locked Middle East peace process as well as furthering their distinguished ties," said Maher.

He lauded efforts and stances by France as well as Chirac's support to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

Maher said that he discussed with Chirac possible holding of a meeting between him and Mubarak.

Asked about the French stance over sending international observers to the occupied lands, Maher said that Paris supports the dispatch of monitors as fast as possible.

On the Israeli rejection of international observers and insistence on US ones, the top diplomat said that the nationality does not matter.

Asked about Chirac's assessment of the regional situation, Maher said the French leader sees the situation as very dangerous.

"Chirac thinks there should be an end to the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories," said Maher.

On the return of the Egyptian ambassador to Israel, the Foreign minister said that the Egyptian stance sees a need for a change in the Israeli policies and resumption of Middle East peace negotiations before the return of the ambassador to Tel Aviv.

Elysee spokeswoman Catherine Colona said Chirac voiced, during his meeting with Maher, deep concern over the deterioration in the Middle East situation.

Chirac described the situation as dangerous and very worrying, she said, adding that Chirac and Maher shared identical viewpoints regarding the need to exert utmost efforts to stop further deterioration.

"Chirac updated Maher on Middle East-related outcome of the G8 summit describing the Genoa summit as a step on the right path," said Colona.

She added that the President reiterated the need for the Palestinian Authority to do its best to halt violence and combat terrorism.

Moreover, Maher is due to meet with his French counterpart Hurbert vedrine to probe means of carrying out Mitchell Committee recommendations and the G-8 decisions made lately in Genoa regarding the peace process in the Middle East.

Following his visit to France, the minister will proceed to Italy for talks with his Italian counterpart on a number of bilateral and regional issues with emphasis on means to push forward the Middle East peace process.

Previous Stories:
  France hails Mubarak efforts to reach a solution to ME crisis   (7/21/2001)
  Egypt's foreign minister confers with French counterpart   (6/5/2001)
  Chirac awarded Moussa with French order of merit   (5/19/2001)

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