A source close to the Egyptian presidency said on Saturday that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is scheduled to arrive in Cairo on Wednesday, beginning a Middle East tour that would later take him on to Jordan and Israel, according to KUNA news agency.
This would mark Berlusconi's first visit to the North African country since ascending to power in June 2001.
The source told the Kuwaiti news agency that Berlusconi's talks with Egyptian President Mubarak and Prime Minister Atef Ebeid would focus on the Middle East conflict, within the framework of the recent Sharm al-Sheikh summit.
The source added that the talks would deal with the European role in activating the Middle East peace process in the next phase with Italy chairing the European Union in July, as well as other issues, including strengthening bilateral relations. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
