CAIRO: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Egyptian host Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday sealed a strategic cooperation pact, pledging their commitment to multipolarity and democratic world order. The two leaders signed the 10-year cooperation agreement, which is aimed at taking Egyptian-Russian ties to a new level, following talks at Mubarak s residence. In a joint declaration, Medvedev and Mubarak said their nations were committed to the building of a new multipolar world order, which will be more democratic, fair and safe for all states. Mubarak and Medvedev also agreed to coordinate foreign policy positions and steps and stressed the importance of reaching fair peace in the Middle East, according to a copy of the agreement released by the Kremlin. Speaking to reporters, Medvedev described the pact as very important, saying it would define Russian-Egyptian ties for years to come. Mubarak, for his part, praised Russia s influence in the Middle East and the world, adding that Cairo and Moscow were keen to boost cooperation in energy, trade and investments. Medvedev s trip is the first visit to Africa by a Russian president for three years and comes in the wake of the landmark address to the Muslim world that US President Barack Obama gave in Cairo earlier this month. Russia is keen to boost its diplomatic clout in the region, which used to be a stronghold of Soviet influence before the end of the Cold War and the subsequent surge of US dominance. After his two-day visit to Egypt, Medvedev will make an ambitious foray into Nigeria, Namibia and Angola from Wednesday to Friday for talks to expand the country s economic footprint in Africa. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was also high on the agenda of talks between Medvedev and Mubarak, and the two leaders reiterated the importance of securing peace in the region through diplomatic efforts. Russia has been trying for months to organize a Middle East peace conference in Moscow before the end of the year but has come up against skepticism from the United States and Israel. Medvedev reiterated Russia s intention to host the conference in Moscow by year s end, thanking Mubarak for his continued support on the issue. In an apparent effort to underscore the significance of Russia s ties with the Arab world, Medvedev was also set to address the Cairo-bsed Arab League and meet its chief Amr Moussa. Russia, part of the Middle East diplomatic Quartet along with the European Union, the United Nations and the United States, is eager to strengthen its diplomatic and commercial influence abroad. Since 2000, Egypt has benefitted from a sharp increase in the number of Russian tourists, reaching 1.8 million last year and outnumbering visitors from western Europe. With trade turnover of $4.1 billion last year, Egypt is Russia s largest trading partner in Africa. Russia has also expressed interest in a $1.5 billion-1.8 billion -tender to construct Egypt s first atomic power station that will resume the country s nuclear program after a 20-year freeze. Medvedev was due to visit key sites, including the Giza Pyramids and the Church of St. George in Old Cairo, before leaving for Nigeria on Wednesday.
