Egyptian enjoys historical and strategic relations with Africa. Cairo is always keen to strengthen and upgrade these relations to promote the common interests between Egypt and the African countries. Starting from this point, President Hosni Mubarak will launch an African tour in which he will visit South Africa and Uganda.

No one can deny the significance of President Mubarak's visit to South Africa. President Mubarak and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa will hold talks to discuss the conclusion of important agreements to strengthen all aspects of cooperation between the two countries.

At the same time, the summit meeting will strengthen the political relations between Egypt and South Africa. The bilateral political relations are very important due to the role played the two countries to resolve differences and conflicts in Africa, as well as their role in supporting the African Union aiming to defend the interests of the African countries.

The historical relations between Egypt and South Africa will allow the two countries to deepen the ties between them in various fields. Egypt had a distinguished and important role in supporting the struggle of South Africa to gain national independence and end white minority ruling.

In fact, the Egyptian role aiming to support Africa's struggle for independence is not confined only to South Africa, but included also many countries of the continent. Thus, the strengthening of Egypt's relations with the African countries is natural.

For this, President Mubarak will visit Uganda to hold talks with President Yoweri Museveni to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries particularly in the areas of water and Nile Basin projects.

Al Ahram