Italy Offers Support for Egypt’s Admission to the G8 Affiliate Group

The Italian government has expressed its support for Egypt’s admission to the Outreach Group, which is an affiliate of the G8. The Italian ambassador to Egypt Claudio Pacifico said Friday that the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini will assure Egypt during his visit to Cairo next Wednesday of his country’s support for Egypt’s admission to the Group.

Egypt will be the first Arab, Islamic and second African state to join the Group which comprises until now: Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.

The ambassador said the Italian Foreign minister will start a two-day visit to Egypt during which he will hand over a message from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

He said Frattini will also hold talks with Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Trade and Industry Minister Rashid Mohamed Rashid and International Cooperation Minister Fayza Abul-ElNaga.

He added that Frattini will discuss with Egyptian officials preparations for Italian President Giorgio Napolitanoa’s state visit to Egypt in October.

According to Ambassador Claudio Pacifico, Frattini will review with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa means of forming an African group under the G8.

He said the foreign minister will also explain to Moussa and Egyptian officials a number of Italian initiatives aimed at stabilizing the situation in Somalia and promoting cooperation with the region.

Source African Press Agency

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