Mursi to visit UAE

DUBAI—Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi will visit the UAE within weeks, said Salah Abdul Maksod, Egyptian Minister of Information, at a Press conference at the Egyptian Consulate in Dubai on Tuesday night. Sharif Al Bedeiwi, the new Egyptian Consul to Dubai and Northern Emirates, was also present.

“The UAE has affirmed several times the strong ties with Egypt, particularly in two messages the UAE President and Vice-President sent to the Egyptian President who was invited twice to visit the UAE. Officials from both the countries will also exchange visits soon,” he said.

The minister affirmed that relationships between both the countries are always based on mutual respect. “The UAE has always paid much attention to the interests of the Egyptian people,” he said, adding that the names of the UAE leaders — the late Shaikh Zayed; the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai — are engraved on many milestones and projects in Egypt. “The UAE investments in Egypt come second, 24 per cent, after Saudi Arabia, and that reflects the cooperation between the two countries,” he added.

Abdul Maksod said Shaikh Mohammed, during a meeting, pledged support to the Egyptian people, government and president Dr Mohammed Mursi, backing the will and choice of the Egyptian people and results of the transparent elections.”

The minister disclosed that the Egyptian TV and Dubai Media City have concluded some media agreements. “Not only does Egypt have the oldest radio station and TV in the region, but also have the biggest media city and open studios, apart from running 700 satellite TV channels. We are also geared up for the launch of NileSat202 in two years with more and better services.”

Talking about internal issues, the Egyptian minister said the situation has become much better in Egypt in terms of security and public services, particularly the first five schemes Mursi promised to work on in the first 100 days of his presidency.

Abdul Maksod affirmed that the Egyptian government is fighting against all types of corruption, and most of the ministers are working seven days a week. Highlighting the economic situation, he said the domestic debts hit 1,300 billion EGP against $35 billion external debts while the hard currency reserves dropped from $36 billion before the revolution into $15.1 billion, let alone expected $170-billion deficit in the general budget this year.

“However, the Egyptian economy is still strong and stable; otherwise the International Monetary Fund would not agree to give us a loan of $4.8 billion.”

Abdul Maksod said that Dr Mursi is honest about turning the presidency from one-man show into a real team work reflecting all trends in the society for a better decision making process for the good of all segments.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE