27 May 2008… Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Fatma Al-Zahraa Etman held, on May 27th, a meeting with the European Ambassadors accredited to Cairo, with the participation of Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Mashreq Affairs, Minister Plenipotentiary Ayman Zein Al-Din, and Director of Palestine Department, Counselor Badr Abdel Atty, within the framework of the periodical meetings with the European Ambassadors to discuss regional issues of common concern. The meeting discussed the breakthrough in the Lebanese crisis, and reaching Doha Agreement, which was concluded by electing the Lebanese President, General Michel Sleiman. The meeting also tackled the developments of the peace talks between Palestinian President Abu Mazen and the Israeli side. The European Ambassadors were apprised of the Egyptian viewpoints concerning these issues, and the efforts exerted in this regard, while affirming the importance of the role of the international community and the European side in coordinating with the Arab countries. The meeting also asserted the importance of the supporting the Arab demarches in these issues, especially what is related to backing the new Lebanese President and the various Lebanese parties at the upcoming crucial stage, during which the items of Doha Agreement will be implemented. The meeting also witnessed keenness on affirming the support of European countries and European Union to the Egyptian efforts to achieve an appeasement between Israel and the Palestinian factions in Gaza Strip and lifting the siege imposed on the Palestinian people. The Egyptian side also asserted the importance of backing President Abu Mazen, in order to reach a peace agreement, with the Israeli side within the timeframe agreed upon in Annapolis Meeting, which is the end of 2008, which ensures the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Furthermore, the meeting confirmed the significance of exerting efforts to halt the Israeli settlement activities, and to work on responding to the demands to lift the Israeli barriers imposed on the Palestinian Territories in order to facilitate the economic and commercial activities.