Frendo meets Egyptian foreign minister in Cairo

Malta continues to support a two-state solution in the Middle East and condemns calls for the elimination of Israel, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said during talks in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit on Saturday.

He emphasised the importance of strengthening the stature and effective role of President Mahmoud Abbas as a legitimately elected representative of the Palestinian people and an interlocutor in the peace process.

Mr Aboul Gheit thanked Malta for its continuous support within the EU and the Mediterranean.

Dr Frendo said that maintaining close relations with its neighbours particularly Libya, Tunisia and Egypt is a strategic foreign policy objective for Malta.

The two ministers discussed the reaction after the publication of cartoons in a private Danish newspaper. Dr Frendo reaffirmed Malta's position on the issue, taken immediately after the publication of the cartoons, which condemns any insult to religions while upholding the rights of a press free from state intervention.

Other issues discussed included Iraq, the possible short-term attachment of diplomats in the respective foreign ministries, the maintaining of air links between the two countries and increased trade.

Later on Saturday evening, Dr Frendo inaugurated the new premises for Malta's Embassy in Zamalek, Cairo.

Prior to the meeting in Cairo, the minister held talks in Tripoli with Libyan Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the General People's Congress, Suleiman Shahoumi.