Egypt, Russia talks boosted

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa Wednesday held a meeting with the Russian foreign ministry Middle East and North Africa department director Sultanov.

The Russian official is currently on a visit to Egypt as part of a Middle East tour.

The official said the meeting comes within the framework of Russia's contacts with a number of Mideastern countries on the latest developments in the region.

He lauded Egypt's pioneering role in the peace process, adding that the Egyptian Russian consultations will go on.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov will pay a working visit to Egypt soon for talks with Moussa and other senior Egyptian officials on bilateral cooperation along with other issues of mutual interest.

Asked whether Ivanov's projected meeting with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Cairo during the latter's tour of the region would dwell on the latest developments in the region or would it deal with other issues, the Russian official said the meeting will deal with all issues of mutual interest, including the current situation in the region.

On the situation in the occupied territories, the official said Russia stands against any acts of violence in the Palestinian territories.

He added that his country would pursue its contacts with Israel and other sides in order to bar further deterioration in the region.

The official underlined the importance of scaling down tension in the region and abiding by Sharm E1 Sheikh understandings.