FM delivers message from Mubarak to Russian President
Egypt-Russia, Politics, 5/18/2002

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher delivers today a message from President Hosni Mubarak to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his two-day visit to Russia which is the first leg of his tour to Beirut, Greece, and Addis Ababa.

Maher who left Cairo on Thursday said in pre-departure statements, that he will hold talks with his Russian counterpart on the Middle East situation, noting that the visit was meant to discuss promotion of bilateral relations and Moscow's role in the Middle East peace process whether through its envoy or within the context of the quartet committee in its capacity as a co-sponsor of the peacemaking.

He went on to say that it is important to probe the Palestinian cause with our friends as well as Israeli atrocities which hinder the peacemaking and the steps Moscow and Cairo see should be taken to help the Palestinian and Israeli sides return to the negotiating table on the basis of the international legitimacy.

"Egypt knows that Israel is always trying to evade its commitments and thus it is important for all parties concerned to stand firmly up to such attempts in defence of right and justice and for the interests of all peoples of the region including the Israeli people," he said.

"The current situation threatens all states of the region including Israel," he pointed out.

Egypt's top diplomat said that he will make a stopover in Ukraine where he will confer with Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister on bilateral relations and get acquainted with outcome of consultations being held there by an Egyptian delegation.

Maher added on Saturday, he will fly to Beirut to take part in the first meeting of the Arab initiative follow-up committee and then he will head for Mycenae in Greece to attend the Euro Mediterranean forum.

Maher will wind up his tour by leading his country's delegation to COMESA summit to be held in Addis Ababa on May 23-24. "The summit will be preceded by a two-day meetings by the gathering's foreign ministers," he added.

In Russia, Maher is due to hold a meeting with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov with whom he will exchange viewpoints.

In statement to Ria Novosti, a Russian daily newspaper, Maher said that Russia has got an opportunity to play a more active role in the Middle East through accession to the quadripartite international alliance forged to examine the situation in the region.

In statements to "Ria Novosti" Maher said that previously the US tended not to allow other members of the international community to play a role equal to hers in this part of the world.

Maher pointed out that Egypt and the rest of the Arab world were confident that Russia remained one of the sponsors of the Middle East peace process.

He described the situation in the Middle East as extremely complicated, noting that as a traditional friend of the Arabs, Russia could help ease tension and reinforce regional stability.

The Minister, who is due to hold talks with his Russian counterpart on Friday, said that Egypt and Russia agree on the need for the return of international inspectors to Iraq in line with the Security Council resolutions.

He said that the Iraqi problem would be one of the topics on the agenda of Friday's talks.

Meanwhile, Maher expressed Egypt's keenness on expanding and deepening bilateral relations with Russia.

On his part, Russian Charge d"Affaires in Cairo Andrei Zakharov said that it was important to coordinate Egyptian and Russian efforts and stances as regards the Middle East.

"Egyptian-Russian talks will also cover means of boosting bilateral relations and joint economic and trade cooperation in addition to regional and international issues such as the Iraqi problem and cooperation in anti-terrorism efforts," he said.

"The two will also discuss disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and international security," he added.

"Contacts are sustained between the Egyptian and Russian foreign ministers with the aim of promoting bilateral relations in various political, trade and economic fields," he said.

"Maher will also meet during his Moscow visit with the Duma Speaker and Chairman of the Egyptian-Russian economic and trade committee, " he added.

Maher's visit to Russia comes prior to the Russian-American summit to be held in Moscow on May 23rd and due to run for three days.

On the Israeli Likud Party's vote against the creation of a Palestinian state, he underlined that a Palestinian state should be set up through a final settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

He said that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat should take part in an international conference on peace in case it is convened. He added that Syria and Lebanon should be also invited to the conference.

He underlined Russia's rejection of any military campaign against Iraq. He noted that Russia has tried many times to persuade the US of the gravity of such an action.

On his part, a Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said yesterday that Egypt is one of Russia' biggest trade partners in the Middle East region.

"Moscow attaches great importance to boosting friendly ties with Egypt, which is considered one of Russia's biggest partners in both the Arab and Islamic worlds," he added.

Trade and economic cooperation between the two countries is increasing in a stable manner, he said, noting that Russian Egyptian trade exchange reached $ 400 million last year.

Russian companies are actively developing institutions in Egypt.

A new domain for cooperation between the two countries emerged as of late, he said, referring to the contribution by Egyptian private capital in producing and selling out Russian-made Tu-204 planes.

"Egyptian businessmen have earmarked $ 200 million to this end," the Russian diplomat added.

Previous Stories:
  Maher to hand message from Mubarak to Putin   (5/17/2002)
  Maher postpones visit to Moscow   (4/17/2002)
  Maher to visit Moscow   (4/16/2002)

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