Russia, Egypt Presidents on Mideast peace

EGYPT: Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and his Egyptian peer, Hosni Mubarak, on Tuesday discussed strategic bilateral cooperation, but also focused on the peace process in the Middle East.

Sources from the Egyptian presidency told Prensa Latina Medvedev is in Cairo for a two-day official visit, when he will also meet with the Arab League’s Secretary General Amr Moussa.

After addressing several issues, the two presidents headed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement, in line with Moscow’s interest in strengthening its diplomacy in the region to foster a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Russia, along with the US, the UN, and the European Union, is part of the Quartet on the Middle East, and has played an active role seeking a solution for the currently deadlocked negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian government.

According to Arab League sources, Moussa and the visitor expect to analyze issues linked to the Arab Peace Initiative, chiefly after the recent speech by Israeli Prime Minister, regarded as an obstacle to reach understanding.

Cairo, Prensa Latina