Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak starts Sunday a three-day official visit to Italy for talks on bilateral relations, development of the peace process and the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, reported ArabicNews.com.
Mubarak will hold talks with President Carlo Azello Ciampi, said the news service, adding that the visiting President will also hold talks with Prime Minister Jiulliani Amato and Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini as well representatives of the Italian parties.
Mubark will discuss with the officials the recent Euro-Mediterranean partnership signed last month between Egypt and the European Union Commission.
Both sides initialed a long negotiated economic association agreement, opening the way for a new era of bilateral relations.
The pact aims at stimulating political, trade and economic links between Cairo and the 12-member European bloc.
Talks will also focus on the “deteriorating situation in the Middle East following the victory of right-wing Likud leader Ariel Sharon,” an official told ArabicNews.com.
On Tuesday, Mubarak will move to the Vatican for talks with Pope John Paul II on the peace process, it said.
In 1999, Egypt and Italy signed a protocol on technical cooperation in power and energy.
The protocol provides for the setting up of a joint technical expert committee which will meet alternatively every six months in Cairo and Rome, according to the Egyptian State Information Center – Albawaba.com
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