| Press Statement Sean McCormack, Spokesman Washington, DC November 2, 2001 Visit of Egyptian Minister of Economy and Trade, Yousef Boutros-GhaliEgypt’s Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Yousef Boutros-Ghali, held meetings at the Department of State this week (October 29 - November 2) with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage, Under Secretary John Bolton, Under Secretary Alan Larson, and Assistant Secretary Bill Burns. The Minister also met with Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios, and Under Secretary of the Treasury John Taylor. Department of State officials underlined the importance of the growing economic relationship between the U.S. and Egypt, and agreed that it is in the interest of both countries that U.S.-Egypt economic ties remain strong. In this regard, U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick expressed interest in the possibility of initiating discussions on the elements of a potential U.S. – Egypt Free Trade Agreement. The United States supports Egypt’s efforts to ensure continued private sector growth and job creation. The United States recognizes the importance of the economic impact on Egypt of the war against terrorism, a struggle in which the government of Egypt is a strategic partner to the U.S. The Administration will look actively for ways to help Egypt address the challenge presented by recent worldwide economic disruptions stemming from terrorism. |
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