To: Bert Zed  who wrote (731 ) 2/9/2000 2:59:00 PM From: Yarek Szolomicki     Respond to    of 864  
Egypt,Turkey hope to promote bilateral ties                      Egypt, Politics, 2/3/2000                      President Suleyman Demirel yesterday expressed appreciation                      over President Hosni Mubarak's efforts in boosting                      Egyptian-Turkish relations in the various fields.                      Demirel received visiting Egyptian Petroleum Minister Sameh                      Fahmi, who conveyed a message from Mubarak on his interest                      in advancing the bilateral energy ties  according to signed                      protocols.                      Speaking to the press after the meeting, Fahmi said Demirel                      voiced his total support for cooperation with Egypt in the field                      of energy and the adoption of all measures that would set in                      motion the project for the export of Egyptian natural gas to                      Turkey.                      He also expressed interest in advancing all efforts in the energy                      domain in general.                      "Demirel asked that mechanisms be established and measures                      adopted to further this project," Fahmi said.                      Demirel highlighted the importance of promoting relations                      between his country and Egypt.                      He described as strategic his country's relations during the few                      past years with Egypt.                      "Egypt and Turkey as major countries in the region share                      identical views on regional and international issues particularly                      the Middle East peace process," The Turkish President said.                      He added that Egypt and Turkey' are making persistent efforts                      to establish a lasting peace in the region.                      Demirel underlined cooperation between the two countries in                      energy domains, adding that through exportation of Egyptian                      natural gas to Turkey a new market for energy would be set up                      in the Middle East.                      The Egyptian Minister asserted Cairo's interest in furthering                      relations with Turkey in all domains including energy.                      Fahmi following meeting with his Turkish counterpart said                      Egypt has many finds of natural gas in big quantities that allow                      it increasing its exports.                      "Studies are under way to find out the best way to export the                      gas either by tankers or pipelines" Fahmi Said.                      On his part, the Turkish Minister described his country's                      relations with Egypt as excellent pointing to the two sides'                      interest in raising mutual cooperation.                      "If peace prevails in the Middle East, cooperation in the region                      will go up especially in the fields of energy," he added.                      Egypt's Ambassador in Ankara Fathi Al Shazli voiced                      optimism over finalizing arrangements for transporting natural                      gas to Turkey, as Presidents Mubarak and Demirel signed a                      memo of understanding in this regard in December 1998.