21 June, 2007… Within the framework of his visit to Sri Lanka to hold the periodical political consultations between both Foreign Ministries, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Ambassador Shawki Ismail, met with the Sri Lankan President who showed new interest in the importance of developing all aspects of his country's bilateral relations with Egypt, especially that the current year will witness the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. The President also showed keenness on promoting the friendship relations between both countries and expressed his hope to enhance these relations to better and broader levels politically and  economically to the  benefit of  the two friendly nations. The consultations also highlighted the Sri Lankan keenness on working towards holding the joint ministerial committee between Egypt and Sri Lanka before the end of this year, and their aspiration to establish a parliamentary friendship committee to encourage peoples' relations, and to start a joint businessmen council to promote trade and investment exchange between both countries. To continue his visit to south Asia, the Assistant Foreign Minister will hold similar political consultations in India to boost and enhance all aspects of the relations between Egypt and India. This visit comes as a follow up to the Egyptian Foreign Minister's recent visit to New Delhi in December 2006, during which the fifth round of the joint ministerial committee was held between both countries.