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Egypt & Italy Summit - Investment promotion and trade cooperation

Global Arab Network - - Gamal Ragay

Thursday, 20 May 2010 18:39

President_of_Egypt__Hosni_Mubarak_Italian_Prime_Minister_Silvio_Berlusconi

President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak held his third strategic summit talks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi which basically focused on bilateral ties and cooperation in various investment and trade fields and in supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises and labor training.

President Mubarak and Premier Berlusconi agreed on the need for pushing forward this partnership in the various economic and political domains.

They also stressed the need for maintaining consultations and coordination between Egypt and Italy on a wide range of regional and international issues mainly in the field of reactivating the peace process.

In his speech to the world press conference with Premier Berlusconi, Mubarak said he was pleased with talks he had earlier in the day. He also hailed the discussions' outcome.

Addressing the news conference, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said several important agreements were signed between the two countries.

Berlusconi went on to say that Egypt and Italy will start a new phase of bilateral relations in the agricultural, cultural and industrial fields.

The Italian prime Minister said he is satisfied with the progress achieved in the two countries' ties.

Berlusconi said that Italy appreciates Mubarak's pivotal role in resolving all issues in the Middle East region and in the international arena.

Berlusconi told the news conference that Italian-Egyptian cooperation is fruitful, voicing hope that the deals will contribute to developing bilateral relations in the period to come.

He noted that Italy is Egypt's first trade partner inside the European Union, adding the two countries are cooperating in the various spheres.

Cooperation is expected to increase in the domains of energy, agriculture, education, culture and infrastructure, said Berlusconi.

He said he discussed with President Mubarak mechanisms for activating cooperation and intensifying visits in the coming stage.

Berlusconi said that the first stage of the navigational line between the Italian port of Venice and Alexandria Port in Egypt will be launched on Thursday.

He said his talks with Mubarak tackled the political situation in the Middle East, with special focus on indirect negotiations on the Palestinian-Israeli track.

Berlusconi said that he listened to Mubarak's views on the Palestinian cause, given that Egypt plays a pivotal role in this respect.

Egypt and Italy agree on the need for reaching solutions to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, according to Berlusconi.

Berlusconi said discussions dwelt on the conflict in the Horn of Africa, adding he was keen to listen to Mubarak's views on the situation in Yemen, Iraq, Sudan, Darfur, the Horn of Africa and Somalia.

The Italian Prime Minister said that the talks also tacked ways to establish an Italian university in Cairo.

Berlusconi added that the deals, which were signed Wednesday, cover several fields and investment sectors.

Several forms of cooperation in the different fields are available, Berlusconi said, adding that they are all useful to the Egyptians.

Mubarak said the agreements, which were inked Wednesday, cover many domains and investment sectors.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said that the Egyptian economy was able to ride out the global financial crisis and achieve big growth rates.

He added that Italy was able, through the agreements and foreign cooperation, to overcome some crises facing the country.

Berlusconi further described bilateral relations as excellent.

He said the Egyptian economy is witnessing a boom at present, adding that the deals aim at boosting joint investments in the interest of both nations.

Berlusconi said Italy is now seeing an increase in its exports and the country works on offering logistical support to Egyptian products in a move meant to facilitate their entry into the European Union markets.

He said his talks with Mubarak took up the technological field to achieve further progress in this vital sector.

Answering a question about talks with the Italian side on the Palestinian cause, President Mubarak said an Arab initiative was launched by Arab countries and with the support of the US in a move meant to consolidate peace and security between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Mubarak said the indirect talks on the Palestinian-Israeli track are a step to reach a final solution.

In this regard, the President said it is essential to resolve all current problems and resume the peace process.

Mubarak warned that if such problems were not solved, terrorism would be the alternative.

Berlusconi, for his part, said that Mubarak discussed with the Italian side the Palestinian cause and some regional issues.

Italy proposed Sicily as a venue for holding talks between the Palestinians and Israelis, Berlusconi said.

He added that Italy reiterated its determination to lead plans to support the economy in the West Bank through establishing an international airport in a move designed to boost religious tourism in the Palestinian lands.

Berlusconi said that initiatives, proposed by Italy, are an additional boost to reaching an agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

Still there is division in positions and within Palestinian factions, according to Berlusconi.

That constitutes an extra obstacle, which should be removed, he added.

The Italian prime minister said the two-state solution remains the sole one to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Asked whether the nuclear fuel swap deal signed by Turkey, Brazil and Iran was just a gimmick to evade international sanctions or a step to solve the crisis with the international community, Berlusconi said that Italy seeks solutions and international determination to resolve this global thorny issue.

Berlusconi said that his country is acting with the international community to reach solutions to such an issue.

The Italian prime minister added that Iran is now mulling all agreements presented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the subject of uranium enrichment.

He said Italy does not want to see Iran embroiled in disputes in the region. (SIS)

Global Arab Network

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