Visit of Hon’ble Mr. Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas of India, to Egypt

23 April 2007

H. E. Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt received Hon’ble Mr. Murli Deora, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas of India this morning. During the call, Mr. Deora delivered a message to President Mubarak from H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India.

President Mubarak reiterated his support to the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between India and Egypt and noted with satisfaction that high-level bilateral ministerial exchanges in the past few months had imparted renewed impetus to the Indo-Egyptian relationship. President Mubarak also expressed confidence that, besides deepening cooperation in the oil and gas sector, Mr. Deora’s visit would strengthen the contacts at the political plane and promote better understanding between the two countries.

Conveying the greetings and good wishes of the people and leadership of India to the people and leadership of Egypt, Mr. Deora emphasized that India attached priority to its relations with Egypt and was appreciative of Egypt’s role in the region. He expressed optimism that the multi-faceted relations existing between India and Egypt would be further reinforced with the continuing expansion of economic and commercial ties. Hon’ble Mr. Deora also apprised H.E. President Mubarak about the discovery of significant reserves of oil in the North Ramadan oil field by OVL in partnership with IPR Red Sea Inc. earlier this month.

Hon’ble Mr. Deora, who arrived in Cairo yesterday evening on an official visit (22-25 April), is scheduled to hold detailed discussions on cooperation in the oil and gas sector with the Minister of Petroleum of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Amin Sameh Fahmy later today. The itinerary also includes a meeting with the Minister of Trade & Industry, H.E. Mr. Rachid Mohammed Rachid.

The Indian delegation led by Mr. Deora includes Petroleum Secretary Mr. M.S. Srinivasan and the Heads of India’s main public sector oil and gas companies namely, Oil & Natural Gas Commission (ONGC); Indian Oil Corporation (IOC); Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL); and, Engineers India Limited (EIL).

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