Vedrine express Europe's interest in political and economic progress on its south

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak Thursday morning received French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine and his accompanying delegation. Vedrine, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Ell, arrived in Cairo Wednesday within the context of a Middle East tour that also includes the Palestinian self-rule areas and Israel. The tour aims at holding talks on the latest developments of the Mideast situation.

Emerging from his talks with Vedrine, Moussa and Vedrine held a joint press conference. Moussa said the lengthy talks held by President Mubarak with Vedrine demonstrated the European view about the peace process and the efforts European countries intend to exert in addition to the analysis of the current situation on the peace process.

"The talks dealt with the situation in the Mediterranean region, Iraq, new developments in the US arena, the elections in Israel and the chances to establish peace," added Moussa. "The establishment of a French university in Egypt as well as other bilateral issues were also tackled," expounded Moussa.

Vedrine said that the 15 EU member states are ready to exert arduous efforts to overcome tension and realize peace, voicing readiness to contribute to actual application of the Sharm el-Sheikh commitments and encouraging countries to resume political negotiations of significance.

He noted that the mission of the fact-finding committee under George Mitchell is going well, adding it is an encouraging factor even if it did not bring about fast solutions.

"The EU presidency, EU External and Security Relations Chief Javier Solana and EU Peace Envoy Moratinos will do their best to seek a genuine solution," stressed Vedrine.

On the seriousness of the European role in the peace process in light of the absence of a clear-cut European stance during Marseilles meeting on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation or the recent EU summit in Nice, France, Vedrine said Marseilles meeting focussed mainly on maintaining the Euro-Mediterranean framework.

"The EU did not claim that it would solve the Middle East issue during the Marseilles meeting," noted Vedrine.

Vedrine said the meeting was held within inconvenient circumstances and that Europeans were only interested in the participation of Arab states in that meeting to preserve the strategic option of cooperation between the two sides.

The French top diplomat noted that the Marseilles meeting helped crystallize the data set later in the European Council and the Nice summit as regards the Middle East.

Vedrine added that the European interest in the Middle East was indicated by the EU representation in the Sharm El-sheikh summit, in which Solana and Moratinos took part.

Vedrine stressed Moratinos' incessant efforts in his missions in the region, pointing out that the tour he makes as a representative of the EU is not meant only to listen but rather to contribute with proposals that would help resuscitate the peace process.

The French Foreign Minister said he would meet with his 14 European opposite numbers following the end of his tour of the region to discuss efforts to be exerted to ease the situation, end tension and violence and hold real negotiations.

On reports that Egypt and Jordan made suggestions and whether they included the French-British initiative to deploy international observers, Moussa said that Egypt and Jordan - just like the rest of the Arab states- discuss what can be done in this stage out of the notion that negotiations are not an objective per se but rather a means to reach just and durable peace.

He noted that negotiations must deal with all the files pertaining to the final status, like Jerusalem, refugees and security arrangements.

"The Anglo-French proposal is related to the current status, not the final one," said Moussa, adding that this matter was discussed and will be further discussed in New York.

"Egypt views that the United Nations (UN) should issue a resolution to maintain a stable situation in the occupied lands, re-build confidence and protect the Palestinians," he further added.

On whether there are certain European proposals in light of Moscow's readiness to play a role in the peace process, Moussa said there were several parties that tried to play a role in peace.

"Russia was a peace co-sponsor and its role should have become effective in pushing peace, Moussa," said, adding that Russia should not only be present for photo opportunity.

He stressed that Egypt welcomed any genuine role that would help balance the peace formula, eliminating the bias towards Israel. "But there was no need for crowdedness without a real role against this bias," he noted.

Answering a query on the prospects for peace under Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak (if he wins elections) and US President George W. Bush, Vedrine said that this issue could not be predictable. "We had to focus instead on increasing opportunities to resume the peace talks and, consequently, Palestinians and Israelis had to hold contacts anew," he added.

Vedrine accentuated the need for a movement towards a real agreement whatever the aspired-for paraphrasing from talks is. "We have to look for the content, he told the press conference.

The Israeli leaders, in this respect, have to suggest offers that the Palestinians can accept," he said.

Vedrine stressed that any efforts made by states or parties could not replace the two concerned parties; the Palestinians and Israelis.

Asked whether Barak would have an opportunity to make something in the short period to come, Moussa said the time was not short and could be enough in case there were proposals that could be negotiated.

On France's and Europe's rejection the idea of deploying international forces and how Egypt sees that, Moussa said that Egypt and France exchanged views on that score.

Vedrine and his accompanying delegation left Cairo for Tel Aviv after ending a two-day visit to Egypt.