Egyptian-Jordanian initiative mirrors positive spirit of Sharm El-Sheikh understanding

Welcoming the Egyptian- Jordanian initiative designed to resume the peace process, Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said the initiative could be regarded as a basis for resuming the peace negotiations.

Michel, in an interview given to Al Ahram, said his talks in Cairo with Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and Foreign Minister Amr Moussa were constructive.

His talks covered the well-founded ties between the two countries that would be enhanced after signing of the parternship Agreement between Egypt and the European Union.

The Belgian Minister said he and Ebeid agreed on holding dialogue and forum grouping the Egyptian and Belgian companies to promote the foreign investments in Egypt.

Egypt is a key partner in the Middle East region he said noting that he was keen on hearing the Egyptian view towards the situation in the region.

He voiced hope that the peace negations would be resumed, adding that there were indicators spurring optimism.

Michel welcomed the European Union (EU) stance towards the Egyptian -Jordanian proposals that crystallizes the positive spirit of Sharm EL Sheikh understanding.

As to the EU -Arab League cooperation, he said this issue spearheaded his talks with Amr Moussa, the coming League Secretary General.

"New basis for EU relations with the Arab world would be laid, "he said.

As regard to the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, he stressed the importance of the rapprochement between the Arab world and the Mediterranean area.

"The Egyptian -European partnership agreement would clear the way for consolidating the economic relations between the two sides," he said.

Moreover, the EU is interested in following up the situation in the African continent especially the great lakes and Central Africa, he added.