Aznar's second visit to Cairo mirrors the warmth of relations

In an interview run by the Chief Editor of Al Ahram newspaper, with the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, few hours prior to his current visit to Egypt, the Spanish Prime Minister talked about his aspirations regarding the significant talks with President Mubarak.

These talks are expected to cover a lot of files including the stumbling Middle East peace talks, expanding the horizons of bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Spain, deepening the friendship between the two peoples, and the issues pertaining to security and cooperation among the Mediterranean states.

Excerpts:

* This is my third visit to Egypt, and this reflects the important status of Egypt in Spain.

* The Mediterranean dimension is a basic principle in the Spanish foreign policy, as well as the European union.

*We look forward to establish a joint security and prosperity region in such geopolitical zone namely the Mediterranean, as a consequence of the dialogue between its north and south, as crystallized in Barcelona Declaration in 1995.

* Egypt's support in this respect is very essential, being a pivotal country with a strategic position, and special history and weight.

* We were honored to receive President Mubarak in Spain last May. During the visit, we revised all aspects of our bilateral relations.

* Our bilateral relations are characterized with friendship, understanding and identical points of view in a lot of regional and international issues.

*The Spanish government is committed to set up the feasibility study and operation of the railway line between Cairo and Alexandria.

*Egypt would get a loan of 2 billion pisitas at very easy conditions to finance the programs intended to encourage small projects.

*A meeting will be held between 200 of the Egyptian and Spanish businessmen.

*During my previous visits I met number of Egyptian intellectuals including the Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz.

*The Spanish society is quite aware of the terrorism problem, and is determined to confront it by all ways and means.

*Europe is not just a spectator to the peace process in the Middle East. However, many European believe that the role of European Union (Eu) doesn't correspond with the traditional relations between Europe and the Middle East states.

*There is a link between Madrid peace process and Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. Barcelona is a long-term process that covers the entire relations between the Mediterranean states.

*The "Barcelona spirit" would be very significant when dealing with the hard challenges that face the region.