Communicated by the 
Prime Minister's Media Advisor 
 Jerusalem, 11 July 2000 

Prime Minister Barak meets Egyptian President Mubarak

Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak yesterday (Monday), July 10, 2000, met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo for approximately one hour in the framework of the Prime Minister's talks with regional leaders ahead of his departure for the Camp David summit.  

Prime Minister Barak told President Mubarak that any agreement will require both sides to compromise and added that we have reached the time when leaders must rise above all other considerations in order to achieve an agreement which will put an end to the 100-year conflict.  

Prime Minister Barak told his host that, "I am working to bring about a settlement which will assure a secure future and a good life for our children in a framework which will be based on the principle of a stable and permanent separation between the two peoples."  

Prime Minister Barak pointed out the risks that will stem from the failure to reach an agreement and added that major efforts must be made to prevent an escalation and deterioration.  

Prime Minister Barak raised the issue of Israeli citizen Azzam Azzam and noted the great suffering that his prolonged imprisonment in Egypt is causing him and his family; the Prime Minister also noted the Israeli public's great concern for Azzam Azzam's welfare.