We're keen to strengthen Arab ties

Albania's Foreign Affairs Minister, Edmond Panariti has told Arabstoday that his country seeks to strengthen its relations with Egypt and other Arab countries. Speaking during his visit to Cairo, the 52-year old said Egypt enjoyed a distinct position in the Islamic world and played a historical role in supporting Muslim countries. "I met Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Kandil, and we agreed on increasing the cooperation between the two countries. We signed a protocol of cooperation in several areas. I also met Foreign Minister Amr Kamel and we discussed ways to increase cooperation in various sectors. After that, there was an important meeting with President Mohamed Morsi, who praised Albania, and told me he wished to develop relations between the two countries. "We discussed our proposals for increasing cooperation between Egypt and Albania, which included opening a direct air route between Cairo and our capital Tirana, the participation of Egyptian investors and businessmen in Albania trade fairs in order to identify the investment environment, as well as increasing the rates of trade exchange between the two sides," the Albanian minister explained. "We also agreed on the importance of holding the meetings of the Joint Cooperation Commission, and maintaining the periodical political consultation rounds held between the two countries," he added. Panariti revealed that he had signed a cooperation agreement with his Egyptian counterpart, which detailed plans to cooperate in the fields of education, scientific research, culture, arts, agriculture, youth and sports. The minister claimed that Albania is awaiting for Islamic countries to reach out and cooperate with it, seen as more than 50% of the Albanian population is Muslim. Commenting on Albania's plans to join the European Union, Panariti disclosed that "talks are at an advanced stage," and declared that Albania's membership of NATO means that "within two years, Albania be a new member of the [European] Union." The minister outlined his country's support for the right of Palestinians to establish their own state. "We have been in favour of the establishment of a Palestinian state, since 1988, and demand the return of peaceful negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians for the establishment of a Palestinian state," he said.