Preparing for an Egyptian-Slovak summit
Egypt-Slovakia, Politics, 3/4/2002

Slovak Deputy foreign Minister Jaroslav Chlebo said that Egypt is a key pioneering country of clout in the Middle East region, adding his current visit to Egypt aims at preparing for an Egyptian-Slovak summit between Presidents Hosni Mubarak and Rudolf Schuster soon.

Arriving in Cairo Sunday on a three-day visit to Egypt, Chlebo said that he will also prepare for convening an Egyptian- Slovak joint economic cooperation committee in Bratislava next May.

Slovakia has a genuine interest in strengthening cooperation with Egypt as a partner with whom we have old ties and also in getting abreast of the course of developments in the Middle East, said Chlebo.

He proposed that the two sides would sign an agreement that would further the few joint ventures and investments between the two countries.

The Slovak official denied that Slovakia's endeavours to join the European Union (EU) would impinge on its relations with Arab countries.

"Although Bratislava is having accession to the EU as a priority, it is maintaining old relations with the Arab world as former Czechoslovakia's biggest trade partner," he said.

On Slovakia's stance as regards Israel's penetration into refugee camps in Jenin and Nablus, the Slovak official underlined the necessity of reaching an overall peaceful solution for the Middle East problem and enhancing cooperation between Arabs and Israel based on United Nations resolutions.

He expressed his country's welcome of President Mubarak's anti-terrorism initiative, adding Slovakia was in the forefront of countries that expressed support for the United States' campaign against international terrorism.

Chlebo will meet with a number of Egyptian and Arab League officials. He pointed out that Slovakia wants to give a shot in the arm to relations with Arab countries at the bilateral and multi-lateral levels.

On trade exchange between Egypt and Slovakia, Chlebo said that it reached $ 37 million last year and the volume of Egyptian exports witnessed an upswing of 150 per cent to hit $ 1.5 million vis-a-vis $ 0.5 million a couple of years ago.

Egypt's exports to Slovakia comprise vegetables, fruits, steel and rice, while Slovak exports include machines, vehicles, glass and steel.

Previous Stories:
  Slovak deputy foreign minister to visit Cairo soon   (8/26/1999)

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