Mubarak - Demirel summit at Alexandria

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak received today Turkish President Suleiman Demirel at Alexandria airport, where they held a closed bilateral session of talks. Demirel and his accompanying delegation held an expanded meeting with Mubarak and his accompanied delegation.

Following the meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said they have discussed issues of joint interest including the situation in the Middle East and bilateral relations and means of encouraging them through mutual accords in different fields.

Demirel's visit is seen inlight of Turkey's desire to strengthen its foothold in the Arab world and to increase economic cooperation and to consolidate close political ties with Egypt.

Turkish and Egyptian officials are negotiating to sign a mutual free trade agreement. A memorandum of intention to boost commercial ties between the two sides was planned to be sealed during Demirel's visit. Mubarak-Demirel talks would cover the situation in the Balkans as well.

Meanwhile, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in Alexandria. Egypt's ambassador in Israel, Mohammed Basiouni, said that the meeting between Barak and Mubarak will discuss developments in the peace process in light of meetings held on the margin of Morocco's King Hassan's funeral yesterday.