Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamal Hassan Ali arrived here today for high level discussions with senior Israeli officials on details of Israel’s withdrawal from Sinai next month and the continuing normalization process between the two countries. The talks, which open in Jerusalem tomorrow, will constitute the fourth session of the Israeli-Egyptian Joint Commission on normalization.
Hassan Ali, who is also Deputy Premier, heads an Egyptian delegation that includes Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Boutros Ghali. They were greeted at the airport this morning by Defense Minister Ariel Sharon who said he was confident that the talks in Jerusalem will produce “further achievements and that this visit will contribute to the peace between our two countries.”
Hassan Ali, addressing his hosts as “dear friends,” stressed that “the primary basis of our relations is to fully respect and implement the obligations and commitments stipulated in the peace treaty, regardless of any issues or developments that may arise in the course of our hard won peaceful and friendly relations.”
Observers believe the Egyptian diplomat was referring to the current dispute between Egypt and Israel over where the old international border is located. Israeli officials have intimated that unless the issue is settled by the Sinai withdrawal deadline of April 25, Israel would delay its pull-out.
The Egyptian delegation will attend a dinner here tonight hosted by Sharon. They will drive to Jerusalem tomorrow. Hassan Ali is expected to meet with Premier Menachem Begin during his stay in Jerusalem.
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