Martin to visit Egypt

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin will travel tomorrow evening to Cairo on a visit which will include meetings with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit, it was announced this evening.

Minister Martin will also meet with the Secretary General of the Arab League, Mr. Amr Moussa.

“Egypt is playing a vital role in current efforts to revive the Middle East Peace Process and facilitate a re-launch of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians," Minister Martin said.

"I am looking forward very much to discussing these issues with Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit and also receiving an Egyptian assessment of the current situation in Gaza, about which I have consistently made known my strong concerns regarding the continued unacceptable blockade imposed against that territory.”

“Both Ireland and Egypt share concerns about the urgent need for political progress in the Middle East and particularly in relation to a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

The minister will also discuss economic and trade issues during his visit.