Date : 13/01/2013
(With photos)
CAIRO, Jan 13 (KUNA) -- Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi Sunday underlined
solid relations with the European Union (EU), saying that future horizons were
promising for both sides.
At a joint news conference with visiting President of the European Council
Herman Van Rompuy following their talks, Morsi said the strong bilateral
relations reflected EU's keenness on further cementing these ties at all
political and social levels.
He said they discussed expansion of cooperation programs between Egypt and
EU. Morsi appreciated EU's support for the democratic transition in Egypt.
Morsi added the building of institutions would be completed following the
parliamentary elections.
The Egyptian president also praised the EU positions which were based on
general humane and legal principle vis-a-vis the Syrian conflict and the
Middle East peace process.
Van Rompuy, meanwhile, said they have discussed the political and economic
conditions in Egypt, affirming backing to Egypt's democratic transition.
He said the entire world was watching the reform process in Egypt, which
has been a major player in the international scene and in the Middle East.
"The Europeans want the new democracy in egypt to succeed," he said.
The EU official said Egypt's multi-billion-dollar loan agreement with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) would pave way for larger credit facilities
thus helping in restoring confidence of the international investors and
economic partners.
Van Rompuy, who is on a tour that will also take him to Tunisia, said they
discussed the Syrian conflict and the Palestinian issue.
He said he and Morsi agreed that the massacres in Syrian should stop, and
the EU believed that President Bashar Al-Assad should step down to facilitate
a comprehensive democratic transition. (end)
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