25 March 2008…. Assistant Foreign Minister for American Affairs and the Organization of American States, Ambassador Hatem Seif El Nasr received on March 24th, on behalf of the Foreign Minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, a delegation of 6 American Congress members, that visited Egypt headed by Congressman John Tierney, Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and also Representatives from Appropriations, Energy, Trade, and  Judicial Commissions. The meeting was followed by an expanded session, which Ambassador Seif El Nasr invited to, among the Congressmen delegation members, as well as a number of representatives from Egyptian civil community, business community, and research centers, in addition to eminent persons in the cultural and intellectual fields concerned with the Egyptian-American relations. The session discussed a number of bilateral files listed on the Egyptian-American relations agenda on the political and economic levels, as well as means to develop them, in addition to regional and international issues of common concern, at the top of which is the peaceful settlement file in the Middle East, in light of the latest development Gaza Strip witnessed. Assistant Foreign Minister for American Affairs and the Organization of American States stated that the American delegation expressed appreciation for the importance of the bilateral Egyptian-American relations. The Egyptian Ambassador highlighted, in this regard, that the head of delegation pointed out, specifically -as being Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee- the Egyptian axial role for ensuring security and stability in the region. Ambassador Seif El Nasr received a number of senior Congressmen assistants of the Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the U.S House of Representatives, as they were acquainted with the latest developments of the situation in the Middle East region. Also means of enhancing bilateral Egyptian-American relations in all fields through the parliamentary channels were reviwed.