Aliyev urges greater egyptian involvement

President Aliyev received a visiting Egyptian delegation led by the Deputy Foreign Minister Mahdi Fathallah Saturday.

Ambassador Fathallah arrived in Baku Friday by special UN flight from Tbilisi.

He stated during the meeting that Egypt supports Azerbaijan's effort toward restoration of the historic Silk Route and opening of an EU office in Baku as part of the TRACECA program.

Amb. Fathallah then said Azerbaijan, located on the crossroads of the East and West, plays an important role in developing relations in the region.

Mr. Fathallah said he was being accompanied by a delegation of business people, including the vice-president of the Egyptian oil company. The key objective of this mission, he said, is to explore for opportunities of economic partnership with regional countries, in particular with Azerbaijan, and to step up regional involvement. The diplomat said while in Azerbaijan his delegation had held talks on cooperation in the area of production and sale of medicines, construction and oil sectors, and discussed a number of commercial issues. He voiced a fervent hope that the negotiations held would yield fruit.

Mr. Aliyev informed the distinguished guest of the current status in the Garabagh peace talks, saying with some resentment that Arabic countries have largely remained uninvolved, and asked the diplomat to convey to President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Amr Musa that Azerbaijan is in need of Egypt's support in breaking the current deadlock, as Egypt is one of the leading nations of the Arabic world. He also pledged to contribute to the development of bilateral economic cooperation.

Attending the meeting was Egyptian ambassador to Azerbaijan Mr. Jihan Amin Muhammad Ali.

Prior to meeting with the President, the Egyptian delegation was received by Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev.

The parties pointed out the tremendous potential for developing economic cooperation between the two countries.

Mr. Fathallah stated that Egypt is keen on expanding economic partnership with Azerbaijan and it was for this reason that the delegation he is heading includes a number of Egyptian businessmen.

He reaffirmed his country's resolute position, which is based on support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

In conclusion of the meeting, which was also attended by Egyptian ambassador to Azerbaijan Jihan Amin Muhammad Ali, Minister Guliyev voiced a hope that the visit would give an impetus to boosting bilateral relations.