President Mubarak's visit to Kuwait
Egypt-Kuwait, Politics, 3/22/1999

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has asserted that the "Arab atmosphere" has become better now. He noted that he discussed with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, means of Arab moves in the future, and exchanged views on ways to resolve the differences.

In press statements he made in Cairo on Sunday following his return from Kuwait, issued by the Egyptian dailies on Sunday, President Mubarak added, "I have discussed with the ruler of Kuwait all current issues on various Arab, regional and international arenas." Mubarak said his talks with the Kuwaiti Emir covered the situation in the Gulf, the stalled Middle East peace process, the efforts needed to mend Arab rift and bilateral relations as well.

Mubarak cited improvement in the inter-Arab relations and said "the Arab atmosphere now is better than before."

Meanwhile, Presidential Political Advisor Osama Al-Baz told reporters before leaving Kuwait that the issue of Iraq figured high on the two leaders' agenda. He voiced Egypt's hope that the Iraqi government "would move in the direction of mending the rift because this will help restore Arab solidarity and enhance the concept of Arab national security."

Al-Baz also said that Egypt was keen to maintain "calm relations" with all non-Arab regional powers including Iran. "We want peace that will end the threats of invasion from any non-Arab power on an Arab country," the Presidential Advisor said.

Al-Baz voiced concern over the Middle East peace process after the Israeli government's decision to freeze the implementation of the Wye River accord with the Palestinians. He added that the parliamentary elections, slated for May 17, do not justify the decision to breach Tel Aviv's peace commitments.
Baz said that although the Palestinians' right to declare an independent state was indisputable, it was up to the Palestinians to set the date for such a move in accordance with their interest.

Information Minister Safwat Al-Sherif said the two leaders exchanged views regarding the Iraqi crisis and the situation in the Middle East. "The summit gave a chance for reviewing a host of international issues and their reflections on Arab issues especially in the economic field. "The two leaders have underscored the importance of coordination to establish a pan-Arab economic cooperation that helps Arabs to cope with the world's economic blocs," he said.

Sherif said that Egypt's Prime Minister Kamal Al-Ganzouri and his Kuwaiti counterpart Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah would soon co-chair a meeting of the Egyptian-Kuwaiti Higher Commission to beef up bilateral cooperation in various economic domains.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak: Egypt not concerned with the nominee of Israeli premier   (3/18/1999)
  Kuwaiti crown prince confers with US general   (3/17/1999)
  Egypt, Kuwait for boosting information and cultural relations   (2/2/1999)

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