December 10, 2003 At the beginning of his meeting in Geneva with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom stated that he had come to President Mubarak with a message of peace from the Israeli people. Foreign Minister Shalom added that he found that the Egyptian President was committed to the peace process. President Mubarak said that he would work to reduce the gaps between Israel and the Palestinians.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Shalom added, „The time has come for Abu Ala to return to the negotiating table without preconditions. The world is waiting for you. Direct negotiations between the parties is what matters. The Roadmap is the only game in town, and in the city of Geneva, we are accomplishing real peace, as opposed to a virtual peace.” The Egyptian President stated in response that his country and he personally are committed to the peace agreement, and therefore Egypt would honor it. Foreign Minister Shalom also stated that he attached great importance to a meeting between President Mubarak and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and hoped that the meeting in Geneva would pave the way for it to take place at the earliest opportunity. BPI.
