Apr.  26, 2001

Mubarak holds intensive talks with Romanian President on bilateral relations,
ways of achieving peace

    Talks between President Mubarak and his Romanian counterpart Ion Iliescu dealt with bilateral relations and ways of achieving peace in the Middle East.

    Romanian President Ion Iliescu said the visit of President Mubarak, a permanent friend to Romania, is a significant event, which would help expand bilateral relations.

    Presidents Mubarak and Iliescu held a press conference during which President Mubarak said his talks with the Romanian leader focused on the Middle East peace process, Israeli provocative acts against Palestinians, Israeli attacks against Syrian troops in Lebanon, which represent a flagrant violation of the agreements signed in Madrid and the principle of land for peace.

    President Mubarak said Romania could play a big role in bringing the peace process back to track in view of the Romanian relations with the states of the region and its role as the current chairman of the conference on security and cooperation in Europe (CSCE) which complements the role played by European Union in the peace process.

    As for bilateral relations, President Mubarak said an agreement was reached on a number of means for bolstering relations between the two governments and peoples in the field of trade, investment and heavy industries. The President said we shall expand consultations and deepen cultural interactions.

    On his part, the Romanian President expressed his satisfaction with his talks with President Mubarak saying Egyptian Romanian relations would witness further developments in the upcoming stage.

    Reports from Berlin quote President Mubarak as saying before leaving Bonn as expressing his full satisfaction with the results of his talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on ideas and possible moves for putting an end to deteriorating situation in the Middle East and bringing the peace process back to track.