Egyptian President to make an official visit to Russia

President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak is arriving in Russia for an official visit at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. The visit will last until May 29, says the Kremlin press service.

Before the arrival of Mr Mubarak, a session of the Russo-Egyptian Business Council will be held in Moscow on Thursday. The parties will discuss joint projects in metal production, oil and gas, construction, agriculture, the light industry, banking and tourism.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said that Egypt is a key Arab and African partner of Russia in regional and international affairs. "Russo-Egyptian political contacts are facilitating the trend for an active development of bilateral co-operation in all spheres, including the strengthening of legislation, trade, economic and research-technical ties, and contacts in science, education and culture," said the official spokesman.

In his words, Russia and Egypt are acting in concert for the creation of a multipolar world based on the key principle of the central role of the UN in the system of modern international relations and the domination of international law.

"Moscow and Cairo likewise reject all forms and kinds of international terrorism, which they are fighting persistently within the global anti-terrorist campaign," Yakovenko said. One of the key issues on the bilateral agenda is the restoration of a lasting and embracing peace in the Middle East.

The two countries are highlighting the search for ways out of the deadlock in Israeli-Palestinian relations and discussing the conditions for the settlement of problems between Israel, Syria and Lebanon. They are consistently advocating the early and full restoration of Iraqi sovereignty and preservation of its territorial integrity.

Russo-Egyptian dialogue at all levels is intensive and is noted by a mutual striving to boost mutually beneficial bilateral co-operation. Bilateral trade reached $416 mln in 2003 and tourism brought the figure to more than $700 mln, making Egypt a leading trade and economic partner of Russia in the Middle East and Africa.