Mubarak, Ben Ali review means of enhancing peace process
In the light of regional circumstances which are characterized by caution and anticipation and a flurry of Arab efforts aiming at narrowing between Arab standpoints, enhancing Arab solidarity and tackling various issues, President Mubarak and Tunisian President Zine AL Abidine Bin Ali held a tete a tete session at Carthage Palace.
Then an expanded session of talks was held between the Egyptian and Tunisian delegations for tackling current Arab issues, international variables and the latest developments of the Palestinian cause which represents the core and crux of the Middle East conflict, talks also tackled ways of enhancing distinctive bilateral relations.
Well informed diplomatic sources said the agenda of talks between Presidents Mubarak and Bin Ali includes a number of issues of vital importance topped by the forthcoming Arab summit which will be held in Amman late next month.
The two leaders underlined the need for good preparation for the summit and sustaining underway consultations at the various levels so that the Arab summit may be successful.
Talks between the two leaders discussed positions in the occupied Palestinian territories, sustaining Intifada and how to move forward for rallying support for Palestinians.
The two leaders held their talks in the light of the inauguration of a new administration at the White House as well as the current changes in Israel.
This makes it incumbent on Arabs to reach a common visualization for dealing with those changes in order to achieve two essential goals: - Solving the Palestinian cause through a peace agreement accepted by Palestinians and leading to establishing a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
- Ending Israeli occupation in south Lebanon and the Golan plateau.
Minister of Information Safwat AL Sherif said the visit comes in the framework of President Mubarak's keenness to maintain consultations with Arab leaders which he had started with visits to Syria, Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman.
He said the two leaders are rallying support for Palestinian Intifada and means of supporting the Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Egypt's Ambassador in Tunis Mokhlis Qotb said that relations between the two countries are at a high level, referring to a joint higher committee through which several trade agreements reaching $100 million were signed.
There is hope that the volume of trade exchange would be promoted through participation of Egyptian businessmen and their contributions, noted Qotb.
"Total agreements between the two countries are more than 35, in addition to follow-up committees that trouble shoot any obstacles," said Qotb, remarking that Egypt and Tunisia exchange experiences and know-how in the sectors of agriculture and trade.
The Egyptian Ambassador voiced confidence that continued consultations between Presidents Mubarak and Bin Ali will be for the benefit of the Egyptian and Tunisian people.
Samah Rabi'e Director of the Arab Countries Department in the Ministry of Economy, said that the Egyptian -Tunisian relations have set an example in oil prospection and finds.
Rabi'e added that Tunisia seeks the Egyptian experience in the field of farming and marine biology, referring to a study to achieve some kind of integration between the two countries in the field of textile industries and ready-to-wear clothes.
The Egyptian ambassador said the two leaders are preoccupied with issues such as clearing Arab atmosphere, Egyptian Libyan initiative for solving the Sudanese problem, maintaining Sudan's territorial integrity, the Shara issue between Algeria and Morocco, developments of Lockerbie issue and lifting siege on Iraq.