Our reform policies envisaged in gradual transition for Egyptian economy to free-market system, where the private sector plays a leading role. This gradual transition was envisioned along basic principle, taking into consideration the social dimension and particularly the interests of Egypt's working force, while ensuring that not a single worker will be affected by such transition. Undoubtedly, all our Arab countries are in dires need for such a group as a means of conformity international economic blocks and maintaining reasonable levels of national income and living standards of its population . Ladies and Gentlemen, We are keenly interested in achieving comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Our inconditional and persistent pursuit of peace is actuated by a belief that it is an absolute necessity for the well-being of any nation.
Peace is the basic factor for the security, stability and growth of the peoples of the region.
Therefor, we spare no effort in persuing any option leading to an all out, just, and balanced settlement freely acceptable by all parties in our Arab region based on international legitmacy. Such settlement should provide for equal rights for all parts, thus insuring viable and permanent peace. Egypt has always upheld Arab rights in Golan, South Lebanon and Palestinian territories. We also condemn all forms of blatant Israeli aggression and intransigence, including the aggression against Lebanon while affirming the right of the Lebanese people to sovereignty over its land. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have followed up with interest the agenda of your conference that address a host of major current issues contained in the Director-General's report on Arab manpower on the threshold of the new century, administrative development and its role in raising productivity, development of labor relations in addition to other issues of high priority.