Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived France Saturday to attend the 25th Franco-African Summit to be held in the French city of Nice on Monday and Tuesday at the invitation of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, senior official at the Egyptian Foreign Minstry said. More than 51 African Leaders are expected to attend the conference to be held in Riviera City of Nice. The Summit is being organised by the French government to strengthen bi-lateral relationship between France and the African continent. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, told reporters on Friday that the participation of President Mubarak at the summit comes from Egypt's faith that the economic situation in Africa, and the challenges posed by the global financial crisis, requires the France as a partner to help expand the growth prospects in Africa and the international community to fulfil its obligations towards the continent. Abul-Gheit said that Mubarak will announce Egypt's integrated vision - as an African country - of all the issues of the summit, and how to secure African interests. He added that the summit will address a number of topics, including the challenges of achieving peace and security in Africa. He noted that he will participate in a preparatory meeting of foreign ministers on Sunday to discuss the content of the final declaration of the summit. The event would be co-chaired by the French President, Nicholas Sarkozy and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. High on the agenda would be “The Role of Africa in World Governance, Climate and Development, and Strengthening of Peace and Security.
