Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit highlighted Monday the significance of the upcoming summit of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), terming it a platform to strengthen African integration and promote regional development.

In an interview with Xinhua, Abul Gheit said the summit, grouping leaders and representative from some 30 African countries in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, will discuss issues of debts, market access, infrastructure, electricity and transportation.

The summit will follow up the implementation of the African Union (AU) cooperation programs and development projects, the minister said, adding results of these discussions will be presented to the next AU summit.

The summit will also discuss NEPAD's international partnership with the United Nations, the European Union (EU), the Group of Eight (G8) and some regional and international financial institutions, said Abul Gheit.

Arab issues will come high on the summit agenda, such as the Darfur issue, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and situations in Iraq, the Egyptian top diplomat said.

On Iraq, Abul Gheit pledged Egypt will do its utmost to help the violence-ravaged country to restore stability and prosperity.

The summit will also consider a US request for Egypt's help in holding an extensive meeting for supporting Iraq, he added.

How to improve Africa's governance and management will also be touched at the summit, Abu Gheit said, adding a mechanism has been set up with an aim at encouraging the African countries to adopt the international standards in governance and management.

NEPAD held its last summit in November 2004 in Algeria with the participation of 11 African heads of state and government leaders.

NEPAD comprises 30 African countries, with five co-founders, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa.