The specialized policies committees of the National Democratic Party (NDP) held several meetings Friday to prepare for the 9th National Democratic Party (NDP) congress.

Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Amin Abaza and Water Resources and Irrigation Mahmoud Abu-Zeid attended the meeting of the NDP Farmers and Agricultural Development committee to discuss the party's agriculture strategy.

Health care and Population committee also met to discuss the medical insurance policy and means of improving medical care.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Health and Population Hatem El-Gabali.

Social Justice and Poor Families committee also held a preparatory meeting to discuss ways of improving services to the citizens.

A meeting of the Energy and Development committee was also held to discuss Egypt's future energy strategy.

The meetings of the specialized committees also witnessed debates on the amendment of the NDP statute which includes the manner of in which the NDP nominates and select its candidate for the post of the vice president.

The meetings also discussed the establishment of a new entity combining the members of the political bureau secretariat general with the aim of expanding the base of participation in the decision making process.

Amendments also include a suggestion for accepting youngsters of age below 13 years under the banner of "vanguards" in the party membership.

At the end of the preparatory meetings yesterday, NDP Secretary General Safwat al-Sherif reviewed a full dressed report on the assessment of the NDP performance and the results of the NDP elections.

The proceedings of the NDP congress, which will be held under the banner "Egypt is making progress through us", will witness elaborate dialogues on issues of top priority which concern the Egyptian citizen.

He said the congress activities will tackle the following axes:

* The first is based on labor, investment, policies aiming at providing more job opportunities, raising investment rates, enhancing living standards and pushing forward the wheel of development.

The second is based on services and social justice. The party congress will discuss a number of papers on improving the quality of life and supporting the poor families.

The congress will discuss a number of measures for achieving social development.

The congress will also discuss a number of policies for developing educational process, health care, youth, sports, transportation, roads and harbors.

The third axis concerns security. The congress will discuss the policies which aim at supporting national security in the light of the changing conditions in the world and will discuss a future vision of the policies of energy until the year 2022.

The fourth axis will also be based on citizenship, Democracy the multi-party system, enhancing the rule of law, empowering women and developing the civil society.

2/11/2007