Egypt, Japan PMs share views on reform, stability

Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said Saturday that Egypt shares Japan's view on the importance of reform.
Egypt is in desperate need of boosting its national economy, Mahlab told a conference of the Egyptian-Japanese business council.
He acknowledged that the country is having many challenges, but he still said that Cairo is willing to cooperate with all world countries, atop of which Japan.
Mahlab invited the Japanese prime minister and his accompanying delegation to take part in Egypt's economic conference in Sharm el Sheikh in March.
The Grand Egyptian Museum, a project to which Tokyo is contributing, is a landmark in the history of bilateral relations, the premier said.
Mahlab said that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is keen on fighting terrorism. He pointed to many regional problems in the Middle East, atop of which the Palestinian cause, adding that he appreciates Japan's support for the Palestinian people during the Gaza reconstruction conference.
Mahlab also shared the same view of his Japanese counterpart about the importance of having developing countries represented at the UN Security Council.
Shinzo Abe, the Japanese Prime Minister, said Egypt is exerting utmost efforts to achieve stability. Egypt'sstability means Middle East stability, Abe said.
Abe called on both Israel and the Palestinians to continue negotiations to achieve Palestinian development.
He said his country will offer 300 million dollars worth of a loan to upgrade the electricity grid in Egypt.