Al-Ganzoury Receives Italian PM Mario Monti

Prime Minister, Dr.Kamal Al-Ganzoury, held meeting with the Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti to discuss means of supporting the bilateral relations between both countries at the political. Economic and cultural levels, in attendance of Ministers of Planning, Petroleum, Foreign Affairs, General Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers and Italian Ambassador to Cairo.

The Italian PM confirmed that the Egyptian people can impress the world by the coming presidential elections, and Italy is willing to support Egypt at the political and economic side during the transitional period for democracy. He added that Italy considers as the first EU trade partner to Egypt, and hosts a lot of Egyptian employees. Monti stated that Italy trusts the Egyptian people will to pass such transitional phase and achieve stability, confirming that Egypt is a central country in the region, and expressing his country’s readiness to transfer its political and economic experience to Egypt to facilitate the transitional period. Monti referred to Italy’s desire to expand the economic, trade and investment cooperation, and increase number of Italian tourists to Egypt.

Dr.Al-Ganzoury said that the Middle East security and stability will be achieved when achieved in Egypt, referring to the deep excellent economic relations between both countries as the trade exchange volume reached USD 6 billion over 2011 and tourists represent 10% of the total tourists coming to Egypt. Dr. Al-Ganzoury praised Italy’s stance for not withdrawing investments from Egypt over the last year upon 25th Jan. Revolution as some countries did. Dr.Al-Ganzoury and his Italian counterpart tackled the possibility of establishing joint projects in the petroleum field in Sudan and Libya.