Moussa terms talks with Scharping on ME peace, bilateral ties as useful
Egypt-Germany, Politics, 12/19/2000

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa termed his meeting with German Minister of Defense Rudolf Scharping as "useful". It tackled the Middle East problem, the situation in the Mediterranean and Euro-Egyptian, Euro-Arab and Euro-Mideast relations.

Scharping arrived in Cairo Sunday on an official four-day visit to Egypt at the invitation of Defense and Military Production Minister Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to examine the boosting of Egyptian-German military ties.

At a joint press conference with Scharping after the talks he said their meeting was held within the framework of the solid Egyptian-German friendship, one that the two countries cherish.

"The bilateral ties have diverse political, economic historic and development aspects," he added.

Scharping, on his part, expressed satisfaction with the results of his talks with Moussa, and affirmed the solid ties between the two countries and expressed Germany's determination to protect and promote them.

"The vitality of the ties is reflected in the numerous visits paid by ranking German officials to Egypt, such as the President, the Chancellor, the Foreign Minister and other Ministers," he said.

"All these visits are an expression of Germany's desire in boosting ties with Egypt," he added.

"This is also a proof of Germany's interest in exchanging views with Egypt, especially within the context of Cairo's role in establishing peace in the Middle East," he said.

Asked whether Germany had given up its reservations over its participation in the peacekeeping and monitoring operations in the Middle East in the light of the special nature of its relationship with Israel, Scharping said that what is important, at this point, is to reach a peace agreement, which is very difficult at this point.

"This is what must be focused on and thus, the formation of a peacekeeping force is not on the agenda at this point," he said.

On whether Germany, who had planted, along with the other allied forces, land mines in the Western Desert of Egypt, did contribute or would contribute to their elimination, Scharping said that Germany had presented the requested maps in this respect.

The problem lies in the alienation of the land mines, the German top diplomat said, adding that the issue furnishes a crucial process for the areas suffering from them and the people living there.

He stressed that Germany wants to extend its help and support to the settlement of this problem.

"Regardless of Germany's commitments towards Israel, it extends financial contributions and assistance to the Palestinian areas," he said. It also extends medical and humanitarian assistance, he said.

On German military assistance to Israel, which helps accelerate the arms race in the region, Scharping urged all parties to help support efforts towards security and stop the export of offensive weapons to the region.

"Peace can be secured by peace but military force will not establish peace," he added. He expressed Germany's appreciation of Egypt's role in the Middle East.

He said it was a mix of a fair broker and a party concerned, which also applies to Germany and facilitates dealings between the two countries.

Scharping arrived in Cairo Sunday on an official four-day visit to Egypt at the invitation of Defense and Military Production Minister Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi to examine the boosting of Egyptian-German military ties.

Previous Stories:
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