Chirac: Egypt plays leading role in ME stability
An Egyptian-French summit opens this afternoon between President Hosni Mubarak and French President Jacques Chirac who will arrive in Cairo today at the head of a high level delegation of French businessmen and men of culture on a two-day visit to Egypt.
The visit is the eighth by President Chirac to Egypt since he took over in 1995. During his stay, Chirac will attend the inauguration of several projects together with the signing of a number of economic agreements.
Talks between Mubarak and Chirac will tackle the latest developments in the Middle East, mainly the Palestinian question, the Iraqi crisis, the situation in both Syria and Lebanon, the Iranian nuclear crisis, issues of mutual interest and ways of developing bilateral relations.
Moreover, in an interview with Al-Ahram Editor, the French president said Egypt has seen many changes and that France is determined to help Egypt to continue its process of development.
Chirac said Egypt is a great country which plays a leading role in maintaining stability in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa.
He said he highly respects President Mubarak whom he described as a man of wisdom and experience. He said the Middle East is in need of President Mubarak at the present time.
On economic relations between the two countries, President Chirac said France is Egypt's third trade partner adding that there are more than 90 French companies, employing 36,000 Egyptians, working in Egypt.
He said French investors are flowing into Egypt given the changes taking place in business fields.
The French president said he will be escorted by a large number of French businessmen adding that he would create the Egyptian-French Businessmen Council.
He said both Egypt and France suffered the scourges of terrorism adding France supports Egypt's initiatives for combating terrorism.
Regarding Iran's nuclear program, President Chirac said the door is still open wide for resuming talks between Iran and the West provided that Tehran fulfills the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
