French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his visting
Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak expressed Monday here their grave concern about the
Middle East peace process and hoped to relaunch Palestine-Israel peace talks soon.
Sarkozy and Mubarak had a working lunch here, during which they talked about their common concerns over the region, and emphasized the necessary "to relaunch Palestine-Israel negotiation and to obtain resolution in 2010," a statement released by the Elysee Palace said.
The two leaders reaffirmed that a resolution to the Israeli- Arab conflict should based on
"the relevant United Nations Security Council resolution, the terms of reference of the Madrid
conference, including land exchange for peace, the agreements previously reached by the concerned parties, the Roadmap, and the Arab Peace Initiative."
They both agreed on the "two-state solution," which calls for " an independent,
democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state, comprising the West Bank and Gaza
living side by side in peace and security with the Israel state."
Sarkozy and Mubarak also discussed about the ongoing Copenhagen Climate Conference during their meeting.
Moreover, Sarkozy on behalf of the state returned to Egypt five pieces of wall paintings
scaled off from an ancient Egyptian prince's tomb and previously stored by the Louvre Museum, who was accused of obtaining the Egyptian antiques through illegal means.
Also on the day, Mubarak and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon held talks on bilateral ties and important international issues concerned by both sides.