Press release

84

2-4-2009

Mubarak to Doha Summit: Egypt keen to achieve a genuine Arab reconciliation

 

President Mubarak addressed a message to the Arab Summit which opened in Doha 30/3/2009. The message read out by Dr. Mofid shehab, the Minister of Legal Affairs and parliamentary Councils and the Head of the Egyptian delegation who said in a statement upon arrival in Doha that Egypt was keen to achieve a genuine Arab reconciliation that leads to a common Arab vision on fundamental issues and to pledges and obligations which are based on mutual respect and non interference in others domestic affairs.
He said Egypt's vision of genuine reconciliation was and still based on in depth dialogue on different Arab issues. He said genuine Arab reconciliation in Egypt's view is not just hand-shaking.
We are supporting reconciliation efforts which were launched following the economic summit in Kuwait. He said Egypt is keen to achieve the Palestinian unity and to rebuild Gaza adding Egypt is also interested in marinating Sudan's unity and territorial integrity. He said Egypt supports the Sudan in its crisis with the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.
He read out President Hosni Mubarak's address before the Arab summit which reflected Egypt's views regarding inter-Arab reconciliation which is based on profound dialogue that includes the various views regarding Arab issues and within the framework of relations between the Arab states and regional and international powers.
He asserted the importance of goodwill and adherence to steadfast Arab joint action when it comes to true reconciliation.
He pointed out that the Arab foreign ministers hailed during their meeting in Doha Egypt's efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation.

 

2-FM Spokesman: Egypt's participation in Doha Summit will be effective, active

Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said that Egypt has definite ideas, visions and proposals that will be submitted to the foreign ministers meetings which is currently preparing for the Arab summit to open in Doha on Monday.
In press statements following the first Arab League ministerial meeting in Doha, he said the closed meeting took up important topics.
On clearing the Arab atmosphere, he said a statement will be issued by the Doha summit that would hopefully live up to the Arab people's aspirations.
Meanwhile, the spokesman said that Egypt supports the Arab reconciliation and hopes it would be comprehensive.
 

3-Egypt hails EU commitment to two-state concept

 

Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit welcomed the European Union stance linking promoting ties with Israel to a settlement with the Palestinians, a stance that would give momentum to the peace process.
In statements to reporters, Abul-Gheit lauded the EU countries embracing the two-state solution, noting that the EU stance would encourage peace-loving nations to proceed with their efforts to push forward the peace process, especially in view of concerns about the policies to be adopted by the coming rightist Israeli government.
Abul-Gheit urged the new Israeli government to declare its stance with regard to settlement activities, the separation wall, and human rights violations against the Palestinians, particularly in East Jerusalem.
The top diplomat said "we have not so far heard anything encouraging from those selected to join the new Israeli coalition government."
He said Egypt will deal with the new Israeli ministers from their official not individual position in a way that would achieve national interests and protect Egypt's sovereignty.
He dismissed as bare of truth recent reports alleging that Egyptian officials had contacts with the new Israeli ministers.

 

4-FM: Clear-cut definition to "War against Terrorism"

During his statement before the International Conference on Afghanistan held in Holand, Foreign Minster Ahmed Abul Gheit stressed on the importance of setting clear-cut   definition to" War against Terrorism" so as not to be a war against Islam. The statement was read out by the Foreign Minster's assistance Ambassador Wafaa Bassem.
Meantime, the Minster asserted on the necessity of rallying the international support to probe the political process and the reconstruction of Afghanistan and also to exert efforts to stabilize the situation and achieve the national reconciliation.
In addition, Abul Gheit tackled Egypt's point of view on reconciling the issue of Afghanistan noting that the national reconciliation targeting all political factions with their different races without ignoring the fact that Islam is the centre of Afghani culture. He also underlined the importance of modernizing the religious education curricula to reveal the real good intentions of Islam.

 

5-CBE reserves increase to $33.1 billion in 2009

 

A report issued by the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) stated  that the monetary reserves at the Central Bank (CBE) increased to $33.1 billion in February 2009 against $33.06 billion in February 2008.