EU expounds on Egyptian-Jordanian initiative

A delegation, led by Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Mohammed Al-Orabi, returned to Cairo on Tuesday, winding up a three-leg European tour that took him to Austria, the Netherlands and Greece.

Ali Erfan, member of the delegation, said the tour aimed at discussing the latest developments in the region as well as the Egyptian- Jordanian initiative.

Erfan said the delegation sensed during the tour that the three countries support the initiative. He added that the tour comes as part of Egypt's consultations with the European Union (EU).

In this regard, Erfan pointed to the statement issued by the European Union last week that supported the Egyptian -Jordanian initiative.

He moreover said that the delegation met with the Dutch Foreign Minister who was keen on listening to an accurate evaluation of the situation in the Middle East in preparation of his visit soon to the region.

Furthermore, Erfan said that the European activity in the Middle East was reflected in the visit of EU Security Commissioner Javier Solana to Cairo last Monday.

Meanwhile, Amr Moussa pointed that Egypt proposed certain ideas on the European part concerning the support of the Egyptian- Jordanian initiative.

The ideas will be put forth to the European Cabinet meeting due in Brussels on May 7-8 and which will gather EU Foreign Ministers.