Text of Joint Statement by Mideast Leaders

Here is the English-language text of the joint statement read Friday at the end of the summit conference between President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres.

The meeting between President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres in Alexandria on the 11th and 12th of September marks a new era in bilateral relations between Egypt and Israel as well as in the search for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The signing of the compromise of the Taba arbitration reaffirms the importance of dialogue and negotiation as a means for settling international disputes away from the spirit of confrontation and violence. It constitutes a promising model to be followed and built upon.

The Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty reflects a shared commitment to proceed jointly and simultaneously to enforce the structure of peace between the two peoples and the achievement of a comprehensive peace in the region that will bring about a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the resolution of the Palestinian question in all its aspects.

President Mubarak and Prime Minister Peres firmly believe that having referred the Taba issue to arbitration, the two countries can now concentrate their efforts on reviving the comprehensive peace process. They view with great concern the effects of the stalemate on the process.

They declare 1987 as a year of negotiations for peace.

They call upon all parties concerned to dedicate this year to intensive efforts to achieve the common and noble objective of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

President Mubarak and Prime Minister Peres, together with other concerned parties, will continue their efforts toward a solution of the Palestinian problem in all its aspects and the establishment of a comprehensive peace in the region.