Egypt joins Assembly of Indian Ocean Countries

The foreign ministers of the Assembly of Indian Ocean Countries' economic group are to hold a meeting today in the capital of Mozambique, Maputo, to ratify Egypt's membership in the group as a "dialogue partner."

The group established in 1995 and announced in 1997 includes such countries as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, South Africa, Yemen and Oman.

Egypt's delegation will be headed by Egypt's ambassadress in Mozambique, Soaad Shalabi.

Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Nagi El-Ghatrifi said that Egypt has presented a request to be a partner in the dialogue as well as to keep its right to request full membership.

Moreover El-Ghatrifi said that the group's 14 member states welcomed Egypt's membership as a "dialogue partner" that allows Egypt the right to practice all the group's activities including economic and business, excluding the right to vote.

He also confirmed the importance of this economic assembly comprising 14 countries with 1.2 billion inhabitants, which is considered a huge trade market as well as opening opportunities before businessmen in this assembly to take part in the major investment projects in Egypt.