26 April - 2 May 2001
Issue No.531
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 26 April - 2 May 2001 Issue No.531 |
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Peace tour
President Hosni Mubarak calls for a bigger European role in peacemaking, writes Nevine Khalil
In Russia today on the final leg of a European tour that also included Germany and Romania, President Hosni Mubarak will be lobbying strenuously to energise the peace process.
photo: AP Mubarak's debut talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin will focus on encouraging the co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process to activate its role alongside the Americans.
In Berlin, Mubarak stressed the importance of a bigger European role in peacemaking. Cairo wants Europe to step up its involvement, not least financially, at a time when the US has all but abandoned its contribution to the building of peace.
"The European Union should be much more active. They are so close to the Middle East, closer than any other power. So something should be done," Mubarak said before going into talks with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Tuesday (right). In earlier statements Mubarak said that Germany should use its "strong voice within the EU" to promote peace in the region.
Schroeder assured Mubarak that Germany would support the drive to revive the peace process. German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said that Berlin will "do [its] job as part of the EU. We are direct regional neighbours and talking to both sides." After meeting with Mubarak Fischer said the two sides agreed on "important steps to restore calm and restart talks." These will be unveiled at the EU ministerial meeting in May.
Mubarak used his tour to promote the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative and to raise alarm about volatile conditions in the region, warning that escalating tensions could only nurture more violence and terrorism.
Commenting on the explosive conditions threatening the future of the peace process, Mubarak advised that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "must take the first step by easing the [blockade] on Palestinian towns and villages. Yasser Arafat alone cannot end the violence," he told German television. "What is taking place now only deepens hatred."
Bilateral relations were also on Mubarak's agenda. Cairo and Moscow are expected to sign an accord of understanding and friendship and to map out strategies for long-term economic cooperation. Prior to Mubarak's arrival, eight agreements of cooperation were signed covering, among other things, technology transfer and industrial cooperation.
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