Martin To Visit Egypt

"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. 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," he said.

"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," he continued. "I value very much our consultations with Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit and the Egyptian Government and look forward to this opportunity to pursue our long-standing political dialogue with Egypt, and to discuss economic and trade issues.

"I am similarly looking forward to discussing developments throughout the wider Middle East region with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa. The Arab League is making an extremely important contribution to efforts at promoting political progress in the region, in particular through the Arab Peace Initiative launched in 2002."

Minister Martin's visit to Cairo builds on an earlier visit in July 2008, when he met also with Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit and Secretary General Moussa. Minister Martin and Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit also met briefly in March 2009 at the Gaza Reconstruction Conference which the Egyptian Government hosted in Sharm-el-Sheik.