Egypt's new ambassador is expected in Baghdad, reports Doaa El-Bey Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit welcomed the outcome of the two-day meeting of the joint Egyptian-Iraqi Committee held in Cairo on Monday and Tuesday. "The two days witnessed a great event: the launching of a strategic dialogue with Iraq and the signing of a number of agreements between the two states," Abul-Gheit said at a press conference held at the end of the meetings. Abul-Gheit confirmed that Cairo would work hard to improve the relationship and help Iraq overcome the difficult conditions it is still facing. His declaration that the new Egyptian ambassador to Iraq Sherif Shahin would be dispatched by the end of the week was regarded as a sign to boost ties. Asked why the ministry decided to dispatch an ambassador to Baghdad while the situation there is still not safe, Abul-Gheit said that while the ministry was saddened by the loss of Egyptian ambassador Ehab El-Sherif who was killed in Iraq in 2005, "we feel that security in Iraq is improving. Iraq is trying to regain its status in the region and reopening the embassy and sending an ambassador would help Iraq in the present difficult situation," he added. Abul-Gheit also expected Shahin would help in setting the stage for genuine Iraqi reconciliation. He is likely to listen to the viewpoints of the parties and try to bridge the gaps between them. "To us as Egyptians, we regard Iraqis as Iraqis. They are not Sunnis or Shia or Kurds or Christians. We know Iraq as the strong and united state that provides a haven for all groups," Abul-Gheit added in the press conference. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who thanked his counterpart for the seriousness showed in dealing with the Iraqi issue, said at the press conference that he was looking forward that all the signed agreements be put into action in the next few months. He said he came with a delegation that represents most of the government ministers to reach the best form of cooperation and strategic dialogue with Egypt. "We aim to get the help of Egyptian experience in all fields," he added. The joint committee signed cooperation agreements in diplomacy, agriculture, energy, electricity and security. The two foreign ministers signed a memorandum of understanding that would facilitate visa procedures to businessmen and diplomats as the first step towards facilitating this procedure to everybody. They also agreed that an Iraqi delegation from the Ministry of Finance would visit Egypt this week to arrange for the return of Egyptian money transfers from Iraq and paying off government debts. Commenting on security in Iraq, Zebari said that although the recent bombings targeted ministers and vital sites and left hundreds of innocent people dead, they did not indicate a fall in security. They were carried out by professionals who planned them in a tactical way to terrorise the government. The joint committee met President Hosni Mubarak who discussed with them ways to broaden cooperation between the two states in the economy, trade and investment. The committee also conferred with Prime Minster Ahmed Nazif and discussed possible cooperation in energy and the possible establishment of a power network between the two states. Iraqi Interior Minister Kazen Al-Boulani met his Egyptian counterpart Habib El-Adli during which they discussed ways to improve security cooperation between the two states in combating crime, terrorism and training. They also signed a memorandum of understanding to activate cooperation in combating international terrorism, organised crime and falsifying travel documents. The committee was presided over by the foreign ministers of the two states. Abul-Gheit reiterated that Mubarak invited Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki to visit Egypt. The joint committee meeting paved the way for the visit.
