16 October 2007…

Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit gave his directives to EFTCA Secretary-General to conduct a tour in the African continent, including Cameroon (central Africa), Burkina Faso (west Africa), Zimbabwe (south Africa), during the period from 17 to 28 October.

In this context, EFTCA Secretary-General, Ambassador Neveen Ashmawy, stated that the Foreign Minister's instructions to conduct such a tour come within the framework of the keenness of the Egyptian policy on closely identifying the needs of the African countries, dispatching the Egyptian experts in the various development fields, and sending food, medical and logistical aids. The tour also aims at eliminating the problems Egyptian experts face in these countries, in order to benefit both the Egyptian and African sides.

The Secretary-General added that the field tours, conducted in accordance with the Minister's instructions, reflect Egypt's significant role in the African continent, in an attempt to assist the African countries, not only through responding to the African relief requests, but also through informing them of Egypt's continuous readiness to offer all sorts of assistance to enable them to improve the living conditions, eliminate poverty, combat diseases and epidemics, and achieve sustainable development.