Mubarak and Schroeder to inaugurate the German University in Cairo tomorrow

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will discuss tomorrow the developments in Iraq and the Middle East together with ways of enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.

German Ambassador in Cairo Martin Kobler said talks between the two leaders come at a very important time, adding they will focus on the importance of involving Iraqis in running their country's affairs, the drafting of a constitution and holding free elections.

Moreover, the two leaders will underline the need for implementing the roadmap, and shoring up the peace process given the important and pivotal role played by Egypt in consolidating the peace process. The German Ambassador said talks will also tackle ways of cementing excellent economic relations between the two countries, indicating that Egypt is the third trade partner to Germany after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

He said that the direct German investments in Egypt amount to 300 million euros, adding that the volume of trade exchange is L.E. 1.7 billion euros. He said that the volume of German imports from Egypt is 274 million euros against 1.4 billion euros for the Egyptian imports from Germany. He said that the number of German tourists visiting Egypt has reached 730,000.

President Mubarak and Chancellor Schroeder will tomorrow inaugurate the German University in Cairo at a world festival which will be attended by a large number of men of culture, thinkers and men of letters. Mubarak and Schroeder will address the inauguration ceremony.

Chancellor Schroeder will be accompanied by a delegation consisting of 22 businessmen, economists and investors including the members of the board of trustees of the German University in Cairo.