Mubarak and Putin to discuss developments of the peace process

Egyptian President Mubarak starts an important European tour on April 24. The tour will take him to Germany, Romania and Russia.

Meetings by President Mubarak with the leadership of the three countries will discuss ways of reactivating the peace process and issues of common interest.

The visit will also deal with ways of enhancing bilateral relations between Egypt and the three countries in the economic field.

President Mubarak will be accompanied by a delegation of economists and businessmen.

During his visit to Germany, the President will have talks with Chancellor Jerhard Schroder and a number of senior officials.

The President is due to arrive in Bucharest on April 25 at the invitation of Romanian President Ion Iliescu on a two day visit where the he will have talks with the Romanian premier and foreign minister on ways of boosting bilateral relations.

President Mubarak's visit to Moscow comes at the invitation of Russian President Vlademir Putin. During the two days meetings, the President will have political and economic meetings with a number of officials including the prime minister, the foreign minister and the minister of defense along with a number of governmental and non-governmental figures.

Reda Shehata, the ambassador of Egypt in Moscow said the summit meeting comes at a critical time for the peace process, which Russia is one of its two sponsors.

Shehata said though this meeting is the first one between Presidents Mubarak and Putin, President Mubarak has always been keen to closely follow up the latest developments in Russia.

The Egyptian ambassador said this is the third visit by the President to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He added the situation in the Middle East, and the crisis faced by the peace process would top the agenda of talks between the two sides, given the fact that Russia is one of the sponsors of the peace process.

He said talks will also tackle the Iraqi issue, Gulf problems, and international issues of common interest, stressing that relations between the two countries are excellent adding the economic component would be given a special significance at the President's meetings.

Shehata said Presidents Mubarak and Putin would hold a world press conference following their talks adding the President will have other meetings with leaders of public and private sectors for exploring ways of enhancing economic, tourist, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Shehata said the climate is proper for pushing forward the Egyptian Russian relations adding President Mubarak's visit will help enhance relations at the governmental and non-governmental levels.

He said the two sides would draw up legal framework protecting investments and exports.

He said that a joint Egyptian Russian businessmen council has been set up for reactivating cooperation between private sectors in both countries.