Peace process tops Mubarak-Putin talks

"Means of maintaining the Middle East peace process, means to maintain it, halting violence and putting negotiations back on their right track will top President Hosni Mubarak's talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin," said Russian Ambassador in Cairo Andrei Denisov Thursday.

He pointed out that the two Presidents' talks will be of a political nature.

President Mubarak is considered in Russia not just as president of a major country but also as a prominent Arab leader and hence his talks will also deal with the Iraqi problem, the situation in the Gulf and other Arab issues.

In statements to MENA days ahead of the visit, the Ambassador said that the two leaders' meeting will begin with a bilateral session, to be followed by an expanded meeting which will be attended by officials from both sides.

"Egypt is not only a regional power but also an international one, and that is why the talks will deal with the issue of prohibiting proliferation of weapons of mass destruction weapons as well as international peace," said Denisov.

The Russian Ambassador further noted that President Mubarak's visit, which begins on April 26 within a European tour taking him to Germany and Romania, will represent the first meeting between the two leaders after several conversations over the telephone.

"The discussions will also deal with means to further political understanding and economic cooperation in the fields of sophisticated technology, energy, industry and research," he said.

"President Mubarak will meet on the same day with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Speakers of the Duma (parliament) and the Russian Federal Council," said Denisov.

"The President will also hold a joint meeting with Russian and Egyptian businessmen to consider boosting economic and trade cooperation between the private sectors in both countries," Denisov noted.

"Presidents Mubarak and Putin will hold a joint press conference at the end of their talks in Moscow to give statements on the outcome of this important visit," he said.

He remarked that the trade exchange volume between the two countries in 2000 hit about $ 450 million, expecting this visit to up it to $ 1 billion.

"Egyptian commodities are remarkably in demand, particularly textiles, furniture and agricultural produce," said Denisov.