Mubarak's anti-terrorism conference is step in right direction

France's Ambassador to Egypt Francois Dopffer Monday said that the initiative by President Hosni Mubarak to hold an international anti-terrorism conference is a step in the right direction.

The French-diplomat told MENA that his country is concerned with such initiative, pointing out that Belgium, current President of the European Union, welcomes the initiative and this expands the international agreement on the initiative and the need to combat terrorism.

France has been calling for the establishment of a peaceful democratic Palestinian State as the only way to realize the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Israel has to recognize the Palestinian people's right to establish a state and the Palestinians have to recognize Israel's right to security, he said, adding that the two sides should put an end to violence and return to the peacemaking.

Europe, being a legitimate partner and through its relations with both the Israelis and the Palestinians and in cooperation with the United States, is able to help the return to the table of negotiations, he said, referring to Europe's intensive activities in this respect ever since the Mitchell report in October.

Concerning Sudan, he pointed out a change in France's stance regarding Khartoum. He referred to progress in dialogue with Sudan which allows a terrorism encourage that. As for the latest developments in Afghanistan, the French diplomat underlined the importance of ending military operations quickly and to allow reaching a political solution that would enable the Afghan people to live in peace.

France has submitted an initiative to the European Union, titled: "Afghan Plan", he said, adding that it is a humanitarian plan aimed at offering aid to the Afghan people to be followed by organizing a meeting of each Afghan ethnic group in order to define the authority capable of ruling the country.

'The EU is studying the blueprints of the plan and Egypt has been informed of it and welcomes it,' he pointed out.

Political dialogue is maintained between Egypt and France, he said, adding that the foreign ministers of both countries are expected to meet in New York within the coming two weeks.

Negotiations are under way between France and Egypt in the field of energy, electricity and gas, he added. 'France will continue investments in Egypt, especially in the field of cement, and will resume the special funding of the French university in Egypt, which will open in October 2002,' he said.