Mubarak Discusses with Burns the Development of the Egyptian-American Friendship and the Exclusion of Hosni''s Nomination for UNESCO from the Strategic Dialogue

President Hosni Mubarak discussed the results of the new round of strategic dialogue between Egypt and the United States with US Under Secretary of State William Burns, in the presence of Ahmed Abul-Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Margaret Scobey, the US ambassador in Cairo.
After his meeting with Mubarak at the presidential headquarters yesterday, Burns said: "The discussions that were held with President Mubarak were positive and very constructive. It tackled the special attention given by the United States to the friendly relations with Egypt."
 
He added: "The meeting allowed me the opportunity to express once again the appreciation of the United States for the hospitality that was extended to President Barack Obama during his visit to Cairo last Thursday," stressing that the United States looks forward to strengthening the relations between the Egyptian and the American peoples.
He continued: "We look forward to further joint work between our two countries over a large number of regional issues, especially progress towards the achievement of peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis in particular, and between the Arabs and the Israelis in general, as well as to consult and work together in order to achieve stability in Iraq, Sudan and elsewhere in the world."
 
The US official confirmed that relations between Cairo and Washington are very special and said he was happy with the new Egyptian-American round of strategic dialogue that started in Cairo yesterday, as it is an opportunity to discuss many issues of common concern.
Meanwhile, Egyptian diplomatic sources denied that the round of strategic dialogue between Egypt and the United States discussed the nomination of Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni for the post of Director-General of UNESCO.
"We do not talk with the US about such matters. They do not reveal their position as regards such nominations, and in return, we also do not disclose our positions. The United States often requests support from Egypt as regards certain nominations, but we do not disclose our position, as we deal with such matters on a basis of reciprocity," they said in press statements.
In response to a question about a hesitation in the French position regarding the nomination of Farouk Hosni, the sources said: "We do not believe the French are hesitant regarding the Egyptian candidate," pointing to indications that France knows the qualifications of Farouk Hosni and that his presidency of UNESCO could give a push to the organization.
"Being the host of the organization, France often declines to disclose its positions, as is the case with all countries hosting international organizations on their territories. They prefer to refrain from disclosing their positions so as not to affect any of the parties," they said.