Sorour calls for bridging cultural gab between both flanks of Mediterranean
Egypt-European Union, Politics, 2/18/2002

Narrowing the scientific and technological gap between the two flanks of the Mediterranean Sea is a must as disparity in the level of development can harm their relationship, said Egyptian People's Assembly Speaker Ahmad Fathi Sorour.

Terms such as the "civilization clash" and "Muslim wars" represent a cultural, political and security danger that can strike at the very principles of dialogue and cooperation, Sorour told the third conference of speakers of Euro-Mediterranean Parliaments.

Acquainting the world at large with the facts of Islam is an ever-pressing need and is also in the interests of European partners, he said, pinpointing that "if Europe allows terrorism to thrive, it will gain only more aspects of racism and xenophobia that threaten stability and social peace".

Sorour stressed the Palestinians' right to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Sorour chaired a meeting grouping the heads of parliament of Palestine, Tunisia, Spain, Israel as well as the deputy speaker of the Italian Parliament and the representative of the Jordanian Parliament.

This meeting is considered an extension of Rome's meeting that was held two years ago to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

The meeting took up the latest development since Rome's meeting and the deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian territories in light of the Israeli aggressions on Palestinians.

The Parliament speakers called for continuing consultations between the European countries and the Middle East in order to find an outlet for the stalled situation and resume negotiations.

The conferees welcomed the expected visit by Israeli Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg to the Palestinian National Council in Ramallah as a positive step complying with the conference's decision to form a delegation of heads of some European Parliaments to accompany Burg in his visit.

The four-day talks will probe the role of parliaments in boosting the Euro-Mediterranean political dialogue.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt welcomes EU stance on Palestinian cause   (1/30/2002)
  Mubarak receives Spanish Foreign Minister   (1/16/2002)
  Maher, Pique discuss Mideast cause, international developments   (1/16/2002)

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