Mubarak in Russia next Monday

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, responding to an invitation from Russian President Boris Yelstin, heads to Moscow next Monday on an official visit that is schedued to last for 3 days.

This visit takes on added importance as it is Mubarak's first visit to Moscow after the enormous changes in the wake of the collapse and disjoining of the of Soviet Union. The Joint Committee of the two countries will hold its upcoming meetings in Moscow, headed by the Ministers of Commerce in the two countries and preceding the meeting of the two presidents.

Many important agreements are expected to be signed during meetings of the Joint Committee. Among the agreements that will be discussed are the draft project to protect and encourage investments, the draft project to boost technological and economic cooperation, and the draft project to avoid tax duality.

The volume of trade between the two countries declined slightly by about 2.5% compared to last year. The volume of the Egyptian exports to Russia increased in the second half of last year.