Political Relations

• Ireland's President Mary McAleese and Prime Minster Prime Minister Bertie Ahern are keen always to applaud Egypt's foreign policy and its role in insuring peace and stability in the Middle East. • The two sides exchange views and compare notes on issues of mutual concern, with top priority given to the Middle East question, the Barcelona process, and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. • Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit paid a visit to Ireland in October 2005, where he held talks with the top officials. • After her meeting with Minister Abul-Gheit, Mary Coughlan TD, Minister for Agriculture and Food expressed a desire to visit Egypt to explore the potential of agricultural cooperation between the two countries. • Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Dermot Ahern TD is expected to visit Egypt in January 2007 as part of a Middle East tour that will take to Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and Israel. • Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Nazif extended an official invitation to his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern to visit Egypt in January 2006. • A scholarly delegation led by Egypt's Mufti Dr. Ali Gomaa visited Ireland in January 2006 to participate in a session of interfaith dialogue held in coordination with the Archbishop of Ireland. • The delegation was received by President McAleese, who expressed her appreciation of the concept of the dialogue, particularly now that Islam is under attack from the West.