Mubarak on a two-day visit to Spain
Egypt-Spain, Politics, 10/31/2001

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will arrive in Spain tomorrow for talks with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar following which they will hold a press conference.

Later the President will meet King Juan Carlos on a lunch banquet attended by the delegation accompanying the President and Senior Spanish officials.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said that President Hosni Mubarak's coming visit to Spain acquires special importance at this stage.

He said the visit will focus on two issues, the first is bilateral relations and the second is the "Formentor" forum.

Maher said that Mubarak will have talks with Spanish King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, and will address the forum on means to expand cooperation between the European and Mediterranean countries.

He told diplomatic editors on Tuesday that the talks would also deal with relations between the two countries, international and regional issues, developments in the Palestinian territories and means to bring the Palestinians and Israelis together at the negotiations table.

The talks will further cover cooperation to achieve security and stability in the Mediterranean basin and means to push forward development efforts in North Africa and the Southern Mediterranean, added Maher.

Maher said that round-table talks would be attended by him together with Palestinian Minister of local government Saeb Erekat and with the possible participation of Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

Asked about the recent blitz campaign against Egypt and Saudi Arabia in the American press, Maher said everyone is entitled to criticize, provided their criticism take into account a certain decorum.

He said that such articles could not affect relations between Egypt and the United States, either at level of the administration or the Congress.

On whether Egypt still believes that prospects of peace remaine slim with the current Israeli government in power, Maher said "if there is no hope there is no policy," pointing out that everyone knew that the Israeli government was placing obstacles, which the Arabs must overcome.

Ambassador of Egypt to Spain Hussein Kamel Haridy said President Mubarak's talks with King Juan Carlos and Premier Aznar would focus on three key issues namely the situation the Middle East, terrorism and the Spanish Presidency of European Union.

He said the Spanish side welcomes President Mubarak's agreement to address the forum which is considered one of the important political and intellectual events in Spain which are given wider attention in the part of the king and Prime Minister of Spain and on the Spanish mass media.

He said 27 dignitaries would attend the forum from Euro-Mediterranean countries.

He said President Mubarak's statement before the forum will discuss ways of intensifying cooperation among Euro-Mediterranean countries in the various activities.

He said the President would take part in the round table activities that will be held on the sidelines of the forum, adding the President will address Mediterranean economic policy.

The ambassador said the two days forum would discuss how to carry out Barcelona declaration on the establishment of a Euro Mediterranean free trade zone by the year 2010.

The forum will also discuss financial policies of the Mediterranean and coordination among them for the establishment of exclusive free trade zone, given the fact that there are partnership agreements between EU countries and Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan.

The forum will provide an opportunity for addressing the problems facing economic cooperation with EU countries and how to provide opportunities for reactivating trade exchange.

Meantime, President Mubarak's visit to Spain comes amidst efforts for expanding horizons of integration, expanding the volume of cooperation and joint investments.

The volume of trade exchange between the two countries totaled 577 million dollars in 1999. Egyptian exports amounted to 116 million dollars including 30 million dollars worth of oil exports.

The number of joint ventures between the two countries reached 17 until September 1999 having total capital of LE 200 million.

President Mubarak's visit to Spain last year managed to improve the conditions of financial cooperation agreement between Egypt and Spain which allow Egypt to get 310 million dollars for development projects.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak, Aznar exchange views by telephone   (10/11/2001)
  Aznar's visit deepens bilateral relations   (2/15/2001)
  Enhancing the climate of confidence to sustain peace process   (2/14/2001)

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