The Polish president said Egypt is a key political and economic partner in Middle East region, underlining the importance of the Egyptian-European relations in the various fields.

Lech Kaczynski said that his talks with President Hosni Mubarak in Warsaw on Monday will take up bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

He termed as distinguished Egypt's position in the international arena.

"Our joint objective is to establish peace and security in the Middle East and Africa," Kaczynski said.

Warsaw attaches much importance to the relations with Egypt, he said, adding that his talks with Mubarak will tackle cooperation in the economic, commercial and investment domains.

He said that Mubarak's visit will further promote bilateral relations in all spheres.

President Mubarak's call for holding an international conference on terrorism won praise from Polish President Lech Kaczynski who appreciated Egypt's efforts in this respect.

"We are interested in promoting our anti-terror cooperation," Kaczynski.

Poland supports calls for freeing the Middle East from weapons off mass destruction, he said.

Shifting on relations with the Arab world, the Polish president said Warsaw exerts its utmost efforts to cement these ties.

Poland supports all efforts aiming at bringing about permanent peace in the Middle East, Poland's president said.

Polish troops took part in peace-keeping missions for decades in the region, he added.

Poland also participated in the US-led war on Iraq in 2003 in order to rid the Iraqi people of what he termed as the former oppressive regime that undermined peace and security in the region, Kaczynski said.

The new Iraqi government and the coalition forces in Iraq should be supported, he added.

As for economic cooperation between Egypt and Poland, Kaczynski said Egypt can benefit from the Polish experience in the economic reform field.

In return, Poland can benefit from Egypt's experience in the fields of oil and tourism, he said.

Al Ahram