Mubarak addresses 1st Annual NDP Congress
Egypt, Politics, 9/26/2003

Here follows is Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak's address to the Congress of the National Democratic Party today:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Members of the National Democratic Party,

ÊÊÊ The General 8th Congress of the National Democratic Party (NDP) held in September 2002 marked a turning point in the thinking, organization and performance of our great Party. Our march of national work was launched from this congress with a new thinking where we have been motivated by a strong desire to achieve the aspirations of the time-honored people of Egypt and to develop our partisan and national work so as to meet the requirements of the modern age.

Today, the 1st Annual Congress of the NDP held on September 26-28, 2003 under the slogan " New Thinking and the Citizens' Rights" is not just intended to follow up the implementation of the recommendations of the 8th General Congress and the policies and the orientations it endorsed. It is not supposed to evaluate the party's activities in all aspects through out the last year on the level of the party's performance or with regard to the achievements of the party government, either.

Your annual congress will be briefed on the concordance between the Party and the government on these issues. I am fully confident that you will give a strong push, with your participation on the partisan and popular levels, to the implementation of our ambitious policies concerning these issues seriously and persistently.

Out of this principle, we have adopted the rights of citizens as a slogan of the first annual congress because of our deeply-entrenched belief that enjoyment of the Egyptian citizens of their rights would consequently guarantee fulfillment of obligations towards the good of the nation.

To render such a slogan a reality, three new working papers on citizenship rights, democracy, present and future of the transport sector, preservation of farmland and urban growth trends will be discussed.

In this occasion, I would like to demonstrate the significance of submitting a working paper on citizenship rights and its relation with democracy. Through this paper, we seek to guarantee that all citizens, with no exception, are entitled to all fundamental rights as an integral part of human rights, in a framework where the state deals with the citizens as complete and active partners in making decisions related to their lives, future, society, present and future.

This is a policy devotedly followed by the NDP since its formation. It is, however, high time to put this policy into effect in terms of executive and consequent steps serving as an ascending parameter through a set of steps as follows:
Deepening national affiliation;
Improving relationship between the citizen and the state;
Securing effectual justice for citizens;
Modernizing the cultural structure of the Egyptian society;
Activating and empowering the political parties and civil community institutions.

Our annual congress this year is considered as the first practical test for the extent of our sincere intentions and serious work towards development and modernization. Consequently, I was keen to address you, members and leaders of the Party, to express my deep appreciation for the efforts you have exerted this year in completion of the development process that you made a tangible reality.

Simultaneously, I want to stress that I'm looking forward for more efforts to be exerted by the Party and the government to maximize positive aspects, encounter problems, relieve the suffering of all categories of the people and raise the living standards of the Egyptian citizen in all domains.

Our work should start with frankness and openness and self-criticism before others criticize us. We have to be guided by our experience so as to continue the implementation of our ambitious plans for political and economic reform despite temporary challenges "that I am fully confident we can encounter.

We should also deepen the concept of the fruitful democratic work so as to establish pillars of a powerful multiparty life where the NDP, the party of the majority, constitutes one of its main pillars and interacts with other parties to achieve the national interest.

I am looking forward for the contribution of every and each one of you to make this march a success, by your thoughts and knowledge, love to your country and your belief that we are capable to encounter all the difficulties and achieve the hoped-for progress for our great people.

May God speed your steps and guide the march of our party and the homeland.
May God's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon you.

Previous Stories:
  Amending the constitution, halting emergency laws, calls for comprehensive reforms in Egypt   (5/16/2003)
  Justice Ministry finishes draft republican decree on setting up human rights council   (5/7/2003)
  Highest Egyptian judicial commission agrees to cancel state security courts   (5/7/2003)
  Egypt's ruling party plan to invigorate itself by call for greater democracy   (9/21/2002)
  Mubarak: Democracy requires democratic institutions   (9/18/2002)
  Pope Shenouda highlights Egypt's religious tolerance; improvements needed   (5/31/2002)
  People's Assembly discuss industrial and government modernization   (5/17/2002)
  Mubarak to new local councils: no deviation from democracy and reform   (4/17/2002)

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