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July 05, 2010
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Prime Minister, Dr. Ahmed Nazif, held a discussion session with the Iraqi Vice President's Adel Abdel Mahdy, in attendance of Ministers of Petroleum, Electricity, and Investment, as well as Cairo Governor.
Both sides held a press conference and the prime minister noted that such visit paid by the Iraqi Vice President comes within the continuous discussion on means to develop and deepen the Egyptian-Iraqi communication and integration which both sides aim at. Talks covered the internal situation in Iraq which was described as good especially within the gradual improvement of the security situation and the reduced violence acts.
The prime minister added that the meeting tackled the Iraqi election which was excellently carried; either in the attendance, organization or transparency. Dr. Nazif showed his eagerness for a continuous political process in Iraq to be shaped by the formation of an Iraqi government.
Regarding the bilateral relations, the prime minister stated that the current enjoyed relations are not reaching the aspired level and there are various fields not used yet, adding that various projects are carried between both countries to enhance the economic partnership, something which is needed by Iraq currently.
In this regard, Dr. Nazif said that Egypt has various experiences to support the economic development in Iraq either in the private or public sector and this visit paid by Abdel Mahdy would contribute in achieving more economic cooperation.
From his side, the guest added that the meeting tackled several issues related to the bilateral, political, economic relations as well as the regional developments. He referred to the economic similarity between Egypt and Iraq over the previous decades, along with Egypt's pioneer role in the education movement in Iraq in various fields and in providing Iraq with cadres and labor force.
Abdel Mahdy praised the economic development achieved by Egypt through modernizing the Iraqi administrative and economic systems, something which increased the economic growth rates to 7%, besides establishing advanced banking and modern systems at the time Iraq was facing many challenges.
The Iraqi Vice President confirmed that Iraq has overcome the sectarian and civil wars which was reflected on the recent elections and the wide national participation that reached 64%.
In this regard, the Iraqi official praised aids provided by Egypt to Iraq during the last years either at the security or political sides, as well as the Egyptian companies participation in Iraqi development process. He added that Egypt would have a central role in Iraq.
It is worth noting that the last two years have witnessed intensive mutual visits between both countries where senior Iraqi officials have visited Egypt including the recent visit by President Jalal Talabani to Cairo on 8 May 2010, a visit by the Iraqi President's two deputies in May 2007, Al-Hashemi and Abdel Abdel Hady, as well as visits of prime ministers, parliament's heads, ministers and officials of both countries.
From another side, the Minister of Petroleum has visited Baghdad in May 2009 heading a delegation of chairmen of companies working in petrol, as well as a visit paid by the Minister of Investment in August 2009. In addition to the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Committee which held its meeting in August 2009 headed by Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries.
The trade exchange between both countries have witnessed a significant development since 2006, as the Egyptian exports to Iraq have reached USD 345 million compared to USD 46 million in 2006, and Egypt hosted the 2nd conference of business and investment in Iraq in May 2008, beside the training and cooperation programmes provided by Egypt to the Iraqi side in various fields aiming at preparing Iraqi cadres.
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