ROME--During the third Egyptian-Italian Strategic Partnership to be held in Rome on Wednesday, President Hosni Mubarak will discuss with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi investment, trade and funding small and medium enterprises as well as training Egyptian workforce. "Mubarak and Berlusconi will attend the signing of 24 joint pacts in agriculture, transport, health, education and vocational training," presidential spokesman Suleiman Awwad was quoted by the official Middle East News Agency (MENA) as saying. One pact will involve Italy's contribution to the comprehensive economic and social development of Egypt's underdeveloped northwestern coast. Around 22 million landmines, 21 per cent of the world's explosive remains during World War II, spread along an area of some 2.8 million square meters in northwestern Egypt. The first direct maritime shipping line between Venice and Alexandria is also to be launched during Mubarak's visit. Mubarak's two-day visit to Italy is his first since he recovered from a surgery he underwent in Germany early in March. The spokesman that the Middle East Peace process between the Palestinians and Israel will be discussed too on Wednesday. "Mubarak and Berlusconi will hold a press conference today to announce the details of the agreements," Awwad said. "Mubarak's visit is an important step to boost strategic relations and cooperation mechanisms between the two countries," added Awwad. The Egyptian President's schedule has been increasingly busy over the past few weeks, following a slow period to allow him to rest after the surgery in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Mubarak, 82, received several leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh as well as in Cairo. He also gave a speech to mark Labour Day, although it was postponed for around a week this year, with reports saying it was due to health reasons. --------------------------------------- Additional inputs from news agencies
