Putin, Mubarak discussed a settlement between Syria, Lebanon and Israel, call for a genuine sovereignty for Iraq
Egypt-Russia, Politics, 5/29/2004

In conclusion of their meeting in Moscow on Friday, the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called for the release of a UN resolution that states a " real sovereignty" for Iraq and " the withdrawal of all foreign forces from its lands," so as the foreign presence will not enhance the escalation of acts of violence in this country.

Putin commented in the draft resolution submitted by the US and Britain on Iraq and considered that it " will not be effective only if its gives the Iraqi people, as soon as possible the possibility of seizing its own fate and find a mechanism to rebuild a genuine sovereignty." Putin added that the Russian mission at the UN will work for the formulation of this document in particular. He added if a document is agreed on " just for taking a decision, that is noit effective, it will only endanger the UN."

He said " It is only the Iraqi people who decide their own fate and that of its country." Itar Tass quoted one Aide at Kremlin as saying that Syria and Egypt are sharing the same view points on various issues in the Middle East including the need to convene an international conference to decide the future of Iraq.

On the Middle East, Putin stressed the need to implement the Roadmap, in being the only element that can achieve peace. Officials in Kremlin said that the talks also dealt with the settlement between Israel, Syria and Lebanon, "without which peace in the Middle East will not be durable or complete.." The two Presidents commended the close relations between the two countries. Putin told Mubarak that " Relations between Russia and Egypt date back to long years and enjoy very close relations. And we consider Egypt as one of our main partners especially on the Middle East and the African affairs." Putin described Mubarak as " our personal friend and is linked to a special relation with our country especially the years he had spent during his study," in remark to the period of training he had spent as a war pilot for the Egyptian President in the former Soviet Union.

Mubarak, for his part commended relations between the two countries and said these relations will be " continuously developed." Mubarak is due to end his visit to Moscow today. It is his second visit to Russia within 3 years.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak in Moscow   (5/28/2004)
  Russia looks forward to Mubarak's historic visit   (5/22/2004)
  Egypt-Russia trade exchange hits $ one billion   (3/11/2004)

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