Within its external movement, Egyptian diplomacy is seeking to realize major goals, salient of which are safeguarding national security, investing such movement for internal building up and serving the targets of comprehensive development, particularly boosting export development, opening new markets, attracting foreign investments, developing industries and transferring technology to cope with ICT revolution that marks out the global evolution movement in the 21st Century.

Egypt's foreign policy is based on a number of constants, foremost of which are fostering peace and stability regionally and internationally, abiding by the principles of international law, respecting covenants and charters and enhancing the role of international organizations. 

As a translation of such constants and goals, the Egyptian diplomatic movement has been crystallized during 2007 to take the following tracks:

I-         Arab Issues Support.

II-     Egypt and the African Circle.

III-       Egypt and the Asian Circle .

IV-       EU Countries Relations.

V-        Cooperation with the Super Powers.

VI-        Egypt and the Latin Circle.

VII-   Egypt and International Economic Gatherings

VIII-  Egyptian Expatriate Fostering.

I- Arab Issues Support Egypt plays a big role in supporting the Arab issues due to its status as a pivotal state and centre of balance and stability in the region.

"Egypt has always been the backbone of light to its nation; defending its identity, interests and issues, and seeking a just and comprehensive peace that restores rights to their own people and achieves the security and stability of the region.

A peace that respects international legitimacy and the will of peoples; establishes the independent Palestinian State, and is fully aware of the impossibility that a Palestinian or Arab or Muslim leader may abandon Jerusalem and Aqsa Mosque; the first of the two Kiblahs and the third Holy Mosque. A peace that restores the independence and sovereignty of Iraq and maintains its Arab identity and the unity of its lands and sons.

 A peace that achieves national reconciliation among Lebanon's, Sudan's and Somalia's sons".

Egypt saves no effort in playing an eminent and effective role to solve the prob-lems and challenge the crises of the region. This is crystallized in the intensive political activity that took place in Cairo (13-14 November 2007), where an Egyptian-Saudi summit (11 November, 2007) was held between President Mubarak and Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdel-Aziz, in which the two leaders reviewed the current Arab situation including Iraq, and the enforcement of Riyadh Summit resolutions.

A quadripartite summit (11 November, 2007) was held, in which the Heads of Yemen, Sudan and Iraq took part. This summit tackled salient issues posed on the Arab arena, particularly the situation in Iraq, the Darfour crisis, and the peace conference.

Add to this is the Egyptian-Sudanese Summit between President Mubarak and the Sudanese President Omar el Bashir, where they discussed the situation in Darfour and the exerted efforts to achieve peaceful settlement.

They also tackled means of enhancing the peace agreement between North and South, so as to maintain the unity and stability of Sudan. The talks tackled also many African issues.

Besides, the Egyptian-Palestinian Summit was held between President Mubarak and the Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbass, in which they discussed the developments of the Palestinian issue and the expected peace meeting.

 The President has also met with Kavier  Solana, the Chief of EU Foreign Policy and Security, where they discussed the situation in the Middle East and the coming peace conference.

1- Supporting the Palestinian Issue

Egypt always reiterates that the Palestinian issue is a commitment and destiny for Egypt. Building on that, Egypt has vehemently backed the Palestinian negotiator in all conferences and international arenas. It is also keen to offer all forms of support to the Palestinian Authority.

The Egyptian stance towards the Palestinian issue is defined as follows:

A- Any attempt to achieve peace, stability and security in the world without set-tling the Palestinian cause and the Arab-Israeli dispute will be a failure.

B- The necessity of a persevering and diligent endeavour to realize a compre-hensive and just peace of the Arab-Israeli dispute, that directly serves international peace and security and maintains stability in the Middle East.

C- Egypt has always been willing to work with all parties; the Palestinians, Is-raelis, Americans, Europeans and others who care for the interests of the Palestinian people and peoples of the region for the sake of global stability and peace, so as to resume serious political dialogue that leads to a settlement within a definite time framework.

D-  Egypt is committed to the Palestinian cause and statehood on the Palestinian territories of 1967 whose capital is Jerusalem.

In compliance with these principles, Egypt is keen on intensifying its contacts on the various levels and in all regional and international arenas, so as to create the appropriate conditions for resuming the peace process, putting an end to the Israeli practices against the Palestinian people, maintaining its unity  and supporting it in obtaining its legitimate rights; particularly its right to statehood with the capital of Jerusalem.

Egypt has called for the necessity that the Palestinian differences should be within the same family without resorting to violence or fighting, affirming that po-litical work is the effective means to achieve a settlement for the Palestinian cause and peace.

Within this context, President Mubarak met, during 2007, with Head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbass several times in Cairo. He also met with the Israeli Prime Minister in January and July, besides his talks with US Vice-President and Secretaries of State and Denfence.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister has also conducted intensive talks on the Palestinian cause and means of resuming the peace process in the Middle East with Arab and Ministers of Foreign Affairs, whether in Cairo or in foreign capitals, in addition to peace envoys of the big countries and representatives of international and regional organizations.

The Egyptian diplomacy has been keen on maximizing the ability of the Palestinian institutions and bolstering political and diplomatic coordination machineries with the Palestinian Authority, parallel to its endeavours to increase the trade volume between both parties, as well as providing the necessary aid for the Palestinian side to upgrade its infrastructure, develop its human resources and technical cadres, and raise the level of management in the various domains, in addition to contributing to the Palestinian support funds within the framework of the Arab League.

Egypt believes that there are four main requirements necessary to initiate the peace process, i.e. first: haulting building settlements, second: terminating all hotbeds of tension, third: reopening the Palestinian offices in Eastern Jerusalem closed by Israel during the intifada, fourth: closing and/or decreasing checkpoints that hinder the movement of Palestinians inside the West Bank. 

At Annapolis  conference, Egypt has loudly and clearly called for serious negotiations and discarding obsolete concepts of playing on the time factor and distracting peoples and public opinion with time – long negotiations, besides setting illegal situations on ands. Such means and tricks are exposed and no longer deceive citizens even before policy – makers and executives.

Egypt has defined the authoritative references it recognizes and supports for settlement as follows:

I – The security council relevant resolutions no. 242,338,1397 and 1515, which all stipulate the principle of illegal seizure of the others' lands by force, and the establishment of the Palestinian on the Palestinian State lands occupied by Israel after June 1967.

II – The principle of land for peace is the version accepted by the Arabs to estab-lish just peace in the region.

III- The Arab peace initiative which provides Israel with a strategic vision of what will be its possible position in the region, if it responds to and complies with the will of international society, gives back the Palestinian and Arab lands and rights, and reaches a settlement of the dispute.

IV- The road map is the document recognized in determining a number of obliga-tions of the two parties to realize the independent Palestinian state.

2- Consolidating Iraq's Stability and Maintaining Territorial Integrity:

The Egyptian stance towards the Iraqi crisis is based on several fundamentals:

A- Emphasis on the importance of the integrity and sovereignty of Iraq's territories in the form agreed upon by all Iraqis.

B- The necessity of preventing foreign interventions from exercising influences on this brotherly country.

C- Full support for all regional and international efforts to help Iraqis overcome such difficult situations.

In compliance with these principles, Egypt has refused all claims of dividing Iraq before and after the decision of the US Congress on September 26, 2007, calling for dividing Iraq into three entities. President Mubarak has affirmed the necessity of respecting the integrity, sovereignty and identity of Iraq, and called for standing up for claims of division under any pretexts, and containing sectarianism and militias without exception.

Egypt also participated in all regional and international machineries on Iraq.

Cairo hosted in May 2007 two important meetings on Iraq:

 the Conference of International Covenant on Iraq, and the Expanded Conference of Foreign Ministers of Iraq's Neighbouring Countries.

In addition, Egypt participated in the non-ministerial meeting held in Baghdad of the neighbouring countries and the Security Council Permanent States (March 2007), and meetings of the energy sub- committee of Baghdad meeting in Turkey (March 2007).

 A consultative meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers; members of the special committees on Iraq was held at the Foreign Ministry premises, in which the ex-Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gol participated.

Egypt also participated in the meeting of the countries hosting Iraqi refugees held in Jordan (July 2007), the international conference on dealing with human requirements of Iraqi refugees and emigrants inside Iraq and in neighboring countries, held in Geneva, and the meeting of the sub-security committee of Sharm el Sheikh conference, held in Damascus (August 2007).

3- Consolidating Lebanon

Egypt always stresses the necessity of non-interference in Lebanon, and to let its people decide for themselves. The Lebanese example of co-existence is important and cannot be jeoparadized, as was the case in the past. Within this context, Foreign Minister Mr. Ahmed Abul-Gheit, paid Beiruit, a visit on October 25, 2007, during which the Egyptian stand focused, so as to stimulate the situation in Lebanon, on confirming that the Lebanese are capable of settling their differences without any foreign interventions.

4- The Egyptian Stance towards the Situation in Sudan:

The Egyptian stance towards the situation in Sudan is adopted according to strategic perspective based on Sudan's security and stability as part of Egypt's national security.

A- Integration with Sudan

Integration with Sudan comes on top of priorities of the Egyptian policy. Hence, 2007 has witnessed serious action to boost cooperation relations with Sudan, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, road building, agriculture, health, education and human development.

Within this context, the joint supreme contacts are conducted between Egypt and Sudan to hold a new meeting in Khartoum in April 2007 chaired by the two countries' Prime Ministers. Besides, constant communications between the legislative councils in both countries were conducted. It also hosted high-level Egyptian parliamentary delegation chaired by the Speaker of the People's Assembly.

B- Supporting Establishing Peace in South Sudan

Efforts of supporting establishing peace in South Sudan are of special interest to Egypt, represented in constant political talks between the two parties on both presidential and ministerial levels, so as to ensure stability in the South, maintain the integrity of Sudan, and avoid disruptions and wars.

 Egypt also enhanced its participation in UN peace-keeping forces in the South to reach 796 soldiers, besides the assistance rendered by the various Egyptian ministries and foundations to the reconstruction efforts; particularly in electricity, education and health care, whether by establishing more secondary and technical schools, or a branch of Alexandria University in the South and an Egyptian consulate in Wadi Halfa, and others.

C- Supporting Darfour Crisis Settlement Efforts

Egypt adopts a clear-cut vision of the situation in Darfour which focuses on finding a peaceful solution for the crisis, within the context of maintaining Sudan's integrity, preventing the enforcement of sanctions on it, bolstering the African Union's efforts in participation with the United Nations, and putting an end to inhabitants' sufferings in Darfour.

Egypt participated in all regional and international conferences on the Darfour issue, shared with military and police observers in Darfour, and offered its contribution with armed forces and police units to the joint forces to be deployed in Darfour under the UN and African Union umbrella. Solving Darfour crisis was on top of President Mubarak's agenda during his foreign tours in the African and European countries in 2007.

5- Bilateral Cooperation with the Arab Countries

Out of its firm belief in the inevitability of Arab communication, commitment to its national role towards the Arab issues, and keenness to develop bilateral cooperation with sisterly Arab countries, joint political coordination has been maintained between Egypt and Arab countries on various levels.

Meetings between the President and Arab leaders were constantly held; with leaders and Heads of Saudi Arabia, Libya, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Bahrein, Qatar, Sudan and Palestine, in addition to a number of prime ministers and senior officials in the Arab countries.

The Foreign Minister also met with many counterparts in these countries.

Series of joint committees were held between Egypt and the Arab countries, in which a number of joint cooperation agreements and executive protocols of the concluded ones were signed. The volume of trade between Egypt and the Arab countries maximized, and Egyptian exports achieved a remarkable increase of 80% since the implementation of the Free Trade Treaty in 2005.

6- Activating Arab Collective System

Egypt had an active role in the Arab Summit meetings held in Riyadh in March 2007. It participated in formulating draft resolutions which are the essence of specific additions to the 19th summit, represented in a resolution on Arab national security, another on organizing consultative summits and the third on activating the Arab peace initiative.

II - Egypt and the Islamic World

The Islamic dimension is one of the Egyptian foreign policy essentials. Egypt has been a genuine pivot in the Islamic world's interactions with its issues and concerns.

 It was one of the founding-states of the Organization of Islamic Conference, and played an effective role in drafting its charter and establishing many of its specialized agencies.

 It supported the Islamic world's issues with all its regional and international weight, calling for building up an Islamic power capable of confronting the 21st Century's challenges. Egypt always seeks to activate the Islamic solidarity principle by taking serious steps towards establishing Islamic common market and laying down an effective system for Islamic national security.

III- Egypt and the African Circle:

The African arena is one of the major circles in Egypt's foreign policy. This is a normal reflection of Egypt's geopolitical position and its civilizational, cultural and destiny link to the African continent.

Egypt's geographical and cultural affiliation to Africa imposes responsibilities and committments on it, particularly as to boosting the development march and peace-keeping operations in the African continent.

Egypt was also keen on opening its universities before youth of the African countries. It hosted about 20,000 African students within the context of scholarships granted in the last years. The Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa delegated about 300 university professors and teachers within the same period to many African countries.

All Egypt's potentials are available for serving joint African action in the domain of security and peace-keeping in the continent, due to its long experience in its participation in many UN peace-keeping operations, starting with the first one in Kongo 1960, besides the services rendered by Cairo Training Centre on peace-keeping operations in providing training courses in French and English for African brothers.

Egypt also backs Africa in its antiterrorism efforts. It boosts the African Union's Counter Terrorism Treaty, and the activation of the OAU's resolution in Algeria, 1999 of calling for holding an international anti-terrorism conference under the UN umbrella. Egypt also consolidates Africa's efforts in the development fields within the context of NEPAD, particularly in education, heath, infrastructure, agriculture, irrigation and drought and desertification.

1- Enhancing Relations with the Nile Basin Countries

Egypt maintained its constructive role in the current negotiations among the Nile basin countries to reach a common agreement on the final draft of "the institutional and legal framework" of the Nile basin initiative, which is almost close to full agreement.

Hence opens the door wide for boosting cooperation among the basin countries, developing available water resources and implementing joint ventures that fullfil the interests of all parties in the domains of irrigation, agriculture, electricity, environment and others.

Acknowledging the importance of cooperation with the Nile basin countries to develop water sources of the River Nile whose banks extend along 10 African states, the Egyptian government has, since 1999, financed the Egyptian-Ugandan project of uprooting water weeds in the Great Lakes area at a cost of $ 13.9 million, as it has become an example of cooperation to be followed between Egypt and her sisterly Nile basin countries, for its remarkable results.

Hence, the Ugandan government demanded to extend the project for 3 additional  years at a cost of $ 4.5 million, so that the total cost of the project has become $ 18.4 million.

2- The Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa (EFTCA)

Out of its responsibility towards boosting the development processes in Africa, the EFTCA started its activity in 1980 to be an "expertise house" for sisterly African countries, mainly aiming at assisting the African countries to overcome the scientific, technological and professional barriers.

Over two decades, the Fund has achieved tangible success. It provided the sisterly African countries with Egyptian expertise in various vital development sectors, particularly health and education, in addition to grants and training courses in Egypt, and scholarships for African students, sending medical convoys, and last but not least establishing joint medical clinics and model farms, and in the future setting up centres for vocational training, and other activities that aim at building capacities and upgrading human efficiency which is the core of the long-term development process.

The Fund also concluded dozens of cultural and technological agreements which aim to fullfil the technical requirements of the African countries. Over more than 25 years (1980 – 2007), the EFICA has managed to send more than 7 thousand Egyptian experts to work in the African countries and, likewise, to train Africans in Egypt. In addition, the Fund contributed to enhancing the cultural and social communication between Egypt and its mother continent, where cooperation included more than 45 countries within the context of programmes and activities at a value of more than $ 200 million.

3- Enhancing the Egyptian Role within the AU Context

Egypt was keen to actively participate in all the meetings of the African Union Summit, the executive council, the African Peace and Security Council and the African Parliament, as well as participating in all the ministerial conferences, senior officials' meetings and the other committees affiliated to AU. It also played an active role in the discussions that took place in these meetings, and was keen to take constructive initiatives for the interests of its African continent.

The Egyptian diplomacy intensified its contacts and efforts to reach peaceful settlement of the existing disputes in Africa, particularly in Darfour and Somalia. It was keen to participate in all relevant meetings. Its role in peace keeping operations maximized under the umbrella of AU and UN in areas of disputes in Africa.

Egypt hosted many African ministerial conferences, meetings of senior officials and committees. It also enhanced its existence in the AU commission bodies and nominated candidates for senior posts in it.     

4- Egypt's Role within the NEPAD Context   

 Egypt, being one of the five founding member-states of the initiative, partici-pated effectively in the various meetings of "NEPAD Executive Committee", and the African Machinery Assembly held on the periphery of the AU Summit meetings in both of Addis Ababa and Akra. It was also keen to actively participate in the meet-ings of "NEPAD Steering Committee" and the "Forum of Participation with Africa", and in a constructive dialogue with the G8 representatives, and the other advanced member countries in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.

IV: Egypt and the Asian Circle

The Asian circle is one of the major circles in Egypt's foreign policy, whose main focuses in this circle is the economic dimension, due to a number of basic facts:

- The Asian economic uprising.

- The Asian technological growth.

- The emergence of new countries in Central Asia.

Therefore, President Mubarak made 3 tours to Asia: The first was in April 1983 which included China (April1, 1983), North Korea (April 4, 1983), Japan (April 6, 1983), Indonesia (April 9, 1983) and Pakistan (April 11, 1983); the second was in April 1999, where he visited China, South Korea and Japan and the third was in November 2006 and it included Russia, Kazakhstan and China.

The President's tours have enhanced bilateral relations with the Asian countries, particularly activating cooperation in the fields of industry, agriculture, services and technology, as well as qualifying and training workers and upgrading their productivity, and establishing joint ventures.

The volume of trade with the Asian countries has increased, where Asia became the second biggest partner to Egypt after the European Union. The volume of Asian investments inflow to Egypt has recently grown, particularly from India, China and Japan.

There has been effective Egyptian existence in the Asian dialogue forums with other international parties. Among those forums are: The Chinese-Japanese Initiative to Establish a Forum for Dialogue with the Arab World, the Chinese Initiative for African-Chinese Dialogue, the Indonesian-South African initiative for strategic partnership between Asia and Africa, and the Singaporean initiative for Asian-Middle Eastern dialogue.

The Egyptian Fund for Technical Aid for the Commonwealth Countries

The Egyptian diplomacy has been active in Central Asia and the Caucasus in particular. That is represented in establishing cultural centres, providing technical aid and training human cadres of the independent commonwealth of Central Asia countries. Within the context of these interests in the region, the Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation for the Commonwealth Countries was established in 1992. Its countries consist of Federal Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

The Fund spheres of competence were amended in 1995 so as to boost techno-logical cooperation with the Republics of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania. Then, it included Macedonia and Mongolia in 1997, and Afghanistan in 2005. The Fund conducts training courses in about 40 fields for human efficiencies of these countries. Total number of trainees has reached more than 15,000 during the period from 1993 till February 2007. Total scholarships of Al Azhar and Cairo Universities to the independent Commonwealth countries (at the Fund's expense) since the academic year of 1998/99, till that of 2005/06, are more than 395.

V- EU Countries Relations

Europe is among the important priorities of the Egyptian foreign policy due to several considerations; on top of which are geographic neighbourhood and historical and cultural ties. Egypt has also bilateral relations with the European countries, par-ticularly the big influential powers in the international community. It also participates in the European institutions and gatherings, where it became a Mediterranean partner in cooperation in 1995 in the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe. The relations between the two sides got a significant dimension after signing the Egyptian-European partnership Agreement, enforced in 2004.

As an enhancement of economic and trade relations between Egypt and the European countries, year 2007 witnessed a remarkable activity to increase trade volume between the two sides and attract more European investments into Egypt, particularly the Italian, British, German and Spanish investments that have recently witnessed a big leap confirmed by Egypt's membership in the capacity of "participant" in the Investment Committee at the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.

Egypt also participated in the various meetings held within the context of Barcelona Process, and was keen on activating the work programme agreed upon between Egypt and the European Union, within the framework of neighbourhood policy. Stemming from that, Cairo hosted meetings of a number of sub-committees, on the experts level, besides its participation in the meetings of the Mediterranean Forum.

Egypt has participated in Africa – Europe Summit held in Lisbon (8-9 December 2007), where President Mubarak affirmed before the Summit that Egypt aspires for laying down the bases of a real partnership between the two sides, based on equivalence and mutual respect…A partnership that enhances the priorities, interests and issues of Africa…

A partnership that strengthens peace and security in Africa , contains armed dis-putes and combats terrorism… An African European partnership that boosts trade and investment, contributes to training our youth, and opens legal channels of work in Europe for Africa's sons, hence, avoiding illegal immigration and its negative consequences.

President Mubarak has elaborated that such partnership is our way to a constructive cooperation that maintains the environmental system in Africa, Europe and the world, and protects our continent from the dangers of drought and desertification, as well as climate changes.   

The Egyptian and European sides were keen on developing bilateral cultural dialogue, particularly in the light of negative aspects of abusing Islam by some European newspapers and media. Within this context, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Grand Mufti (official expounder of Islamic law) of Egypt, and Minister of Waqf (Endowments) paid visits to a number of European countries, and held meetings that aimed at promoting dialogue and understanding between the two sides and giving a true image of the tolerance and moderation of Islam.

VII - Cooperation with the Super Powers

The Egyptian diplomacy is keen on developing the cooperation relations with the super powers, on top of which are the United States, Russia, China and Japan.

1-Consolidating Relations with the United States

Within the context of constant consultation between the two sides on various levels, President Mubarak received a big number of officials of the American administration, on top of them the US Vice-President, Secretary of State, and senior military officials, namely the US Secretary of Defense, Chief of Staff, Chief of the American Central Command in the Middle East, in addition to a big number of the Congressmen.

The two sides continued their political talks, within the framework of strategic dialogue rounds in Washington between their Foreign Ministers, in February and July, 2007. The two sides also exchanged many ministerial and senior official visits in various political, economic, technical, military and security fields, in addition to visits of Congressmen, their assistants and joint technical cooperation committees between the two sides.

2- Boosting Relations with Federal Russia

Egypt's relations with Russia are the focus of attention in the light of conventional friendship between the two parties.

 Building on the positive results of the President's visit to Moscow in November 2006, the two sides have been keen on activating the cooperation and strategic dialogue agreement of their Foreign Ministries.

 Two rounds of consultations were held in April and June 2007, and cooperation has been maintained between the two sides in the security and military domains as well as anti-terrorism. The economic and trade relations witnessed remarkable development and the Egyptian exports realized tangible increase. The number of Russian tourists to Egypt constantly doubled.

Egypt also participated in the Russian Economic Forum at St. Petersburg with a high-level delegation headed by the Minister of Trade and Industry (June 2007), and the Russian counterpart paid a visit to Cairo in April 2007.

3- Consolidating Cooperation Relations between Egypt and Japan

The Japanese Prime Minister's visit to Egypt last May added a new dimension to the growing relations between the two countries.

President Mubarak received him and held extensive talks on bilateral relations and regional and international issues. The Foreign Minister met with his Japanese counterpart and envoy to the Middle East within the framework of constant consul-tations between the two countries.

Technical programmes and training courses were constantly conducted by both of the Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa and the Japanese "JAICA" for the benefit of the African countries.

4- Strengthening Relations between Egypt and China

The Egyptian-Chinese relations were given a big impetus after President Muba-rak's visit to China in November 2006. On the economic level, Egypt's trade relations with China witnessed a remarkable growth, especially that Egypt is the biggest sixth trade partner of China in Africa, and is expected to become the first one within the coming ten years. Investment opportunities in Egypt and the interest of the Chinese companies to establish joint ventures in Egypt increased.

Within the context of Egypt's chairmanship to the current session of the Chinese-African Cooperation Forum to be hosted in Sharm el-Sheikh city in 2009, consultations are being constantly conducted between the two sides for a good preparation for the Forum's meetings and following up the implementation of the Beijing working plan to enhance cooperation between China and Africa.

VII: Egypt and the Latin Circle

Egypt has concluded agreements on investment encouragement and protection with a number of Latin American countries: Argentina (November 5, 1992), Ecuador (April 19, 1992), Chile (August 5, 1999) and Jamaica (February 10, 1992).

There have been also relations of cooperation between Egypt and the MERCSOR whose member-states are Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela, and which came into force in 1994, and includes as dialogue partners Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. A framework agreement was signed between Egypt and MERSCOR during the 26th meetings of its Common Market Council on July 7, 2004 to establish a free trade zone between the two parties. Egypt also participated in the Arab Latin Summit held in Brazil in May 2005

Also, Egypt continues its political and economic tours and consultations with Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru to enhance relations with the Latin American countries, and follow up the results of both the Arab-South American and the African-South American Summits.

VIII- Egypt and International Economic Gatherings

Egypt embarks upon reinforcing its position and economic power through acti-vating cooperation, and even through its presence, in any form, at the economic gatherings all over the world's continents. It believes that the present age is actually the age of big economic blocs. Hence, Egypt was at the vanguard of the Arab countries that joined the big Arab free trade zone on February 1, 1998. Egypt vehemently supports activating cooperation among the African gatherings in the various geographical regions so that it may lead to the establishment of an economic bloc comprising the African continent countries, hence, ensuring an appropriate position among the various international powers. Through its presence at the COMESA, the Sahel and Sahara Gathering, Egypt seeks to bring viewpoints close and activate trade among the various parties and regional gatherings in Africa, such as ECOWAS, SADC, EGAD and others.

Egypt is one of the founding members of the G-15 which seeks to crystallize a clear vision of dialogue between North and South and establish a global balanced and just economic system. Within this context, Egypt called for activating the developing countries' gatherings and roles, on top of which is the G-77. It proposed merging the G-77 with the Non-Alignment Movement whose members have exceeded 140 countries, so as to achieve common interests and initiate effective dialogue with the North advanced countries.

It also joined the Sahel and Sahara Gathering and effectively participated in the 8th Summit held in Libya (June 2006). President Mubarak believes that the Sahel and Shara Gathering offers many frameworks of development for the African continent which needs such active gatherings that can realize real development to serve peoples and fullfil their requirements.

Egypt also joined the Indian Ocean Countries Gathering as a dialogue partner, while preserving its right to full membership in the Gathering. This participation offers Egypt the opportunity to take part in all the Gathering's programmes and activities, except for voting, and to increase and develop trade between Egypt and the Gathering's countries. It also offers a collective and multi-party framework of dialogue and cooperation. Egypt expressed its desire to be a partner to the ASIAN. It has also the observer capacity in the Caribbean Organization established on July 24, 1994, comprising 25 member-states and 18 countries in the capacity of observers. Egypt enjoys such a capacity since November 28, 1997.

X- Egyptian Expatriate Fostering

Seeking to render more services to Egyptian expatriates, efforts are exerted to establish a "general authority for the Egyptian expatriates fostering fund", aiming at providing services and legal protection for Egyptian expatriates as regards residency, labour work contracts and others. Besides, it aims at establishing a technical studies unit concerned with setting regular statistical database on the Egyptians abroad, discussing means of maintaining stability in their residences, embarking upon a good qualification of Egyptian labour-force to be always on demand, and creating new job opportunities for them abroad.

There are awareness campaigns in the various Egyptian media under the motto: "protective awareness", to enlighten citizens on the risks of illegal immigration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic and consular missions abroad pay special attention to fostering Egyptian communities in the various countries. Egypt also concluded bilateral agreements with some European and Arab countries on "codifying the Egyptian labours' status", and "resettling Egyptians" there. Egypt is also negotiating with a number of other countries to conclude similar agreements.