Cyprus President Christofias meets Mubarak in Cairo

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias will meet in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday his counterpart Hosni Mubarak.

President Christofias arrived on Monday in Cairo heading a delegation, for a four-day official visit.

After an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, President Christofias will meet Mubarak who will later give a lunch in Christofias’ honour.

The Cypriot President will also meet on Tuesday Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif. Their meeting will be followed by the signing of bilateral agreements. Christofias will also confer with Speaker of the Parliament Ahmed Fathy Sorour, and President of the Shura Council Mohamed Safwat El Sherif.

He will also meet religious leaders, address a business forum and visit various sites.

The delegation comprises Minister of Finance and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Charilaos Stavrakis, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou, Director of the President's Office Vasos Georgiou and other officials.

Christofias will then travel to Alexandria where he will have a meeting with the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II.

The Patriarch will decorate President Christofias with the Cross of Evangelist Markos, a highest honourary distinction.

He will also have a meeting in Cairo with Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.

On Monday, the President visited The Monastery and Church of St. George in Old Cairo where he underlined the significance of harmonious co-existence of Christianity and Moslem elements.

Receiving the President and his entourage, Archimandrite Nifon Tsavaris toured the delegation around the monastery, noting that the site is being visited not only by Christians but also Moslems.

He also wished President Christofias strength in his fight for freedom of Cyprus, noting that Cypriots stand by the Patriarchate Alexandria and all Africa.

During his visit to the church, the President was accompanied by Egyptian Petroleum Minister Sameh Fahmi.