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Mrs. Rudi, Speaker of the House of
Representatives,
Mrs. Aguirre, Speaker of the Senate,
Distinguished Representatives and Senators,
At the outset, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for the
word of welcome loudly given by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives as well as my pleasure to be here today among the representatives of
the time-honoured Spanish people with all its classes and affiliations to exchange
viewpoints on the best means for boosting our relations for the benefit of both the
Spanish and Egyptian peoples.
I need not talk to you about the historical background of relations bounding Egypt and
Spain over long centuries because I am fully confident that you are aware of the depth
and extent of these relations which cover all domains. Therefore, I will rather dwell on
ways and means of boosting and developing these relations from traditional cooperation
into a creative and effective partnership that would push forward our bilateral ties to
higher levels.
On the political level, we do appreciate your country's interest in the issues of peace
and stability in the Middle East. Since the Madrid Conference in 1991 which had set a
comprehensive and advanced reference for peace negotiations, Spain has redoubled its
efforts, unilaterally or within the European Union, to help push the peace negotiation
towards a just and comprehensive peace on all tracks.
On the multilateral negotiations, you agree with me that it is important to urge the
parties, currently negotiating and Israel in particular, to abide by the agreements
concluded so far under the umbrella of Madrid reference. They should avoid policies and
practices that contradict with the spirit of peace, leading to the loss of the credibility
of
the negotiation process, escalation of tension, resort to violence and confrontation,
undermining the available historical opportunity to end conflict and reach comprehensive
reconciliation and peaceful coexistence in this important part of the world.
In view of this situation, we are in urgent need of a more effective European role to
keep the present momentum and salvage the peace process. We trust that your country
will redouble its efforts exerted jointly with its European Union partners (EU) especially
in view of the fact that Ambassador Moratinos, the EU's Special Envoy, enjoys the trust
of the parties and a substantial capacity to undertake an active role.
Our position as to the Middle East issue is quite clear. It is based on a commitment to
the principle of "Land For Peace" as stipulated in Madrid Conference and
abandonment
of regional expansionist concepts and policies of settlement in the Arab territories
because these concepts and practices seriously threaten the peace process.
Should Israel respond to the efforts exerted to achieve a comprehensive and just
peace in the region, the road will be open to tangible progress in the multilateral
negotiations. This will mark the beginning of a new stage where the region can enjoy
security and stability. All countries of the region will be able to channel its human and
physical resources to development for the welfare of their peoples and make wider
strides towards regional economic cooperation following many decades of tension,
suffering and disparity.
In parallel, all states of the region must respond to Egypt's proposal on making the
Middle East free of the mass destruction weapons, topped by the nuclear weapons, to
continue to produce and possess these weapons contradicts with efforts designed to
establish and maintain peace and undermine the necessary balance among all states of
the region, given that the vast majority of states have positively responded to our
demand to Israel to liquidate its military nuclear programme under the peace stage. This
trend was reflected by the final declaration of the Non-proliferation Treaty Review
Conference held in May 21 that demanded Israel, for the first time, to join the treaty and
put all its facilities under the comprehensive safeguards regime of the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Leaving Middle East aside, I think it is useful to talk about the deepening of the
Mediterranean dialogue through the Barcelona Process. In this respect, as we follow,
with great appreciation, efforts by Spain to push the process forward, including its
initiative to deepen the Mediterranean dimension of the European Union policy.
Furthermore, we follow with full appreciation Spain's interest in developing its
relations with the Third World countries especially the African countries. We also pay a
great tribute to the Spanish efforts that played a great role to make a success the first
Africa-Europe Summit held in Cairo in April 2000, as well as Spain's decision to forgive
debts worth about $ 800 million owed by the poorest countries. This decision was highly
welcomed by all developing countries that found Spain a sincere partner to count on in
development and reconstruction plans.
As you are aware dear friends, we have implemented a comprehensive plan of
economic development. Egypt could reap encouraging results reflected in an increase in
growth rate 6%, a decrease in unemployment rate and, growing confidence by foreign
investors trust more and more. We look forward to welcoming more Spanish investors in
Egypt as may be commensurate with the close cooperation between the two countries in
many fields, this would enable us to promote trade exchange between both countries.
This target would be difficult to attain should Spanish exports to Egypt continued to be
three folds of its imports therefrom.
Of the projects we look forward to effective cooperation with Spain is the national
project for technology that Egypt has started to implement with the advent of the new
millennium. This project will need the support of friendly advanced countries in this
field.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the importance of solidarity and cooperation in
the field of combatting spiteful terrorism from which many peoples in the world, including
both our peoples, have suffered from for many years. I was indeed gratified by the
statement of His Majesty King Juan Carlos to the joint session of your esteemed
Houses on May 3 that, there is no place for terrorism in a democratic society, so we
have to decisively and unhesitantly reject and combat it by all means, allowed by a
democratic-based country to the point of elimination. This attitude agrees with Egypt's
stance towards terrorism.
Undoubtedly, you will recall that, in 1995 I called for an international conference for
combatting terrorism under the aegis of the UN.
I think that it is now time to agree upon more effective international measures so as to
combat this phenomenon under the umbrella of the UN and unite all international efforts
to beseige and put an end to it, thus allowing our peoples to live in peace and security.
Thank you for listening and I look forward to your valuable opinions on how to boost
our relations in the interest of welfare and prosperity for both friendly peoples.
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