Mubarak, Russian PM review means of promoting relations

Egyptian President Mubarak met late Friday with Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov.

Information Minister Safwat al-Sherif said, following the meeting, that the talks dwelt on promoting bilateral relations in the economic domain as well as giving momentum to the distinguished Egyptian-Russian ties.

They also reflected hopes for returning the volume of cooperation between the two countries to the high level they had reached at earlier periods, Sherif added.

"President Mubarak discussed with Kasyanov the importance of speeding up the implementation of the agreement signed, earlier in the day, by the two countries," said Sherif.

"President Mubarak underlined the importance of exchanging visits between officials in both countries so as to further buttress economic and trade cooperation and overcome any hurdles to that end," said Sherif.

The President also discussed with the Russian Premier the future role to be played by Moscow in rehabilitating a number of industries, foremost among which were steel, phosphate and other industries which Russia had contributed to their establishment.

"President Mubarak stressed the importance of the meeting of the Egyptian-Russian higher committee and affiliated panels entrusted with jacking up Egyptian exports to Russia," said the Minister.

Kasyanov reiterated, on his part, Russia's keenness on expanding cooperation with Egypt in all domains, highlighting the importance of organising fairs to market Egyptian products in Russia. He outlined his country's measures to access Egyptian exports to Russia via Egyptian and Russian banks.