Egyptian - UAE initiative for rectifying the Arab atmospheres
Regional-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 4/15/1999

Gulf sources told ArabicNews.com that Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are getting ready to start a new joint initiative to rectify the Arab atmosphere.

The sources said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak discussed in Abu Dhabi with UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan the Arab positions and the peace process, and that they focused during their meeting yesterday on finding a solution to the Kuwaiti captives' problem in which Iraq is accused of holding prisoners since the Gulf War in 1991, and the ministerial sevenfold committee with which Iraq refuses to hold meetings due to Saudi Arabia's participation.

The sources said Egypt and the UAE are supporting the removal of isolation off Iraq and an initiative to work to lift the sanctions from Iraq before the international community initiates lifting the sanctions from Iraq.

Meanwhile, A tripartite meeting was held on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. It included United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah Bin al-Hussein of Jordan.

The Gulf News Agency said the three leaders reviewed general Arab conditions. An official United Arab Emirates source said the three leaders discussed current developments in the international arenas and their consequences on Arab conditions, especially the situation in Iraq, the need to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people and developments in the Kosovo crisis. The UAE official sources added that the meeting also dealt with the Middle East peace process and obstacles placed by the Israeli government before this process.

Earlier, Sheikh Zayed held a round of bilateral talks with President Mubarak, currently visiting Abu Dhabi. Following the meeting, Egyptian Minister of Information Safwat al-Sharif said the two leaders reviewed viewpoints concerning the situation in the Middle East.

He added the two leaders discussed the situation in Iraq, developments pertaining to Kosovo and bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the area of economic cooperation as an introduction for the common Arab market.

Meanwhile, UAE Deputy Premier Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed al-Nahyan held a meeting with Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh, who accompanies King Abdullah on his current visit to the UAE. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and means of strengthening and developing them as well as matters debated between president of the UAE and King Abdullah.

Sheikh Sultan also held a similar meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri who accompanies President Mubarak on his current visit to the UAE. Bilateral relations were reviewed, and views were exchanged on current Arab developments as well as several issues of mutual concern.

Sheikh Sultan praised Egypt's stances in support of Arab solidarity and Arab and international issues. Al-Ganzouri asserted the UAE stances and desire to unify Arab ranks and strengthen inter-Arab relations.

Previous Stories:
  UAE President, Mubarak review bilateral relations   (9/15/1998)
  Sheikh Zayed, President Mubarak discuss Arab developments   (6/1/1998)

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