Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday to tackle regional and international developments as well as means to boost bilateral ties.

The two sides will discuss the Middle East peace process, the Iraq issue, anti-terror efforts among other regional and international issues as well as bilateral ties, according to Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Suleiman Awad.

Abe will also hold talks with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazef to probe means of boosting bilateral cooperation in the various domains, especially in economy and investment.

The Japanese prime minister arrived in Cairo earlier Wednesday to pay a one-day visit to Egypt, the last leg of his regional tour which started on April 28 and has taken him to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.

This is Abe's first visit to the Middle East since he took office in September 2006 which aims to enhance relations with the Mideast and Gulf countries, ensure energy security and boost economic and trade cooperation and investment.

Strategic dialogue between foreign ministers of the two countries is to be held later in the day during which the two sides are scheduled to sign a memo of understanding on boosting the dialogue.

Abe was accompanied by 180 Japanese business representatives in his regional visit.

Source: Xinhua