Marcelle M. Wahba noted that in the last two
years, unprecedented opportunities have arisen for
greater engagement between the United States and
the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
American President George Bush, his Secretary of State
Colin Powell, and the other members of the American
administration, announced long–term US commitment
to strengthen closer relations with the region, and to
participate in its development at the economic, political
and education levels. The discussion centered on three
principal programs under which this engagement is
taking place: the Middle East Partnership Initiative
(MEPI), the Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) and
the Partnerships for Learning program.