19 June, 2007…. Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Fatma El Zahraa Etman, held the first round of political consultations between Egypt and Estonia in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. The Estonian side was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Matti Miller. The developments in the Middle East and particularly those on the Palestinian arena were among the issues discussed during the meeting, and the Estonian Deputy Foreign Minister commended the Egyptian efforts to heal the rift among the Palestinians and to reach a just and comprehensive settlement for the Arab-Israeli conflict. During the meeting, Ambassador Etman presented the details of the road plan concerning settling the Darfur crisis proposed by Egypt, affirming that it is crucial to obtain the necessary international support for this plan, particularly from the UN Security Council. On the other hand, the two sides discussed means of promoting all aspects of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership within the framework of the Barcelona Process including the political, economic, cultural and social aspects. The Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs highlighted the importance accorded by Egypt to this process and its keenness to maintain its Mediterranean identity. The Assistant Foreign Minister also indicated the relevant arrangements being made for the first Conference for the Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research which will be hosted by Cairo on 17-18 June 2007. Ambassador Etman also stressed on Egypt's keenness to receive participants from the member states on the Ministerial level, since this conference represents an added value to the Euro Mediterranean cooperation aspects. Both sides also explored means of enhancing the political, economic and cultural relations between the two sides, in addition to the preparations for inaugurating an Estonian Embassy in Cairo in 2008. During the meeting, it was also agreed that the second round of consultations will be held next year in Estonia.