Estonian Foreign Minister Recognises Contribution of Egyptian Colleague to Middle East Peace Process

02.03.2010

Nr 69– E

While meeting in Cairo with his Egyptian colleague Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that the opening of the Estonian Embassy in Cairo would give a boost to intensifying of bilateral relations.

Paet and Gheit discussed Estonia-Egypt economic co-operation, including the development of tourism, the increasing activity of the Estonian timber industry in Egypt, and co-operation opportunities in the IT sector. “Egypt is one of the most popular tourist destinations among Estonians, and Estonian entrepreneurs also have a growing interest in Egypt,” said Paet. “Estonia recently joined the IT-related partnership working group for the Joint Africa-European Union Strategy, which is another opportunity for Estonia to share its IT solutions and for our country and its entrepreneurs to share their experiences,” said Paet. “Estonia is also interested in cultural co-operation with Egypt,” stated Foreign Minister Paet, inviting Egypt to participate in the Tallinn European Capital of Culture project in 2011.

Paet and Aboul Gheit confirmed that Estonia and Egypt will continue to hold regular political consultations between the two nations. This year a delegation from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry is to visit Estonia.

Paet stated that Egypt is one of the leading nations of the Islamic and Arab worlds as well as the European Union’s most important partner in Northern Africa and the Mediterranean Union. Egypt also plays a vital role in the progress of the Middle East peace process. “Estonia consistently supports finding a two-state solution in the Middle East peace process. We are certain that the parties to the conflict must continue with negotiations,” stated Paet.

Paet also discussed the Middle East peace process in a separate meeting with Egypt’s top negotiator in the peace process, Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman. At their meeting they also discussed the security situation, preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, and developments in the entire Middle East region and surrounding areas, such as Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Somalia.

Paet and Aboul Gheit also talked about Estonia and Egypt’s co-operation in international organisations, first and foremost in UN structures, and introduced their reciprocal candidacies for positions in their governing bodies. They also thoroughly discussed the reform of the UN development system. “It is important for Estonia to be an active nation in world development co-operation. With the reform of UN development systems, we would like to ensure the smoother transfer of aid funds to nations and people in need. This is especially important right now, when the economic situation in the world is very tense,” said Paet.

SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 637 7654
+372 521 3085
pressitalitus@mfa.ee