Mubarak confers with German defense minister

German minister of defense Rudolf Scharping has underlined the key role played by Egypt in the Middle East peace process, noting that this very Egyptian role is uncompensated and the peace process can not continue without Egypt.

In a statement he made in Cairo on Monday following his meeting with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, on Monday, the German minister added "security and stability is not attainable in the region without the Egyptian role." He added that preserving security and stability in the region requires multilateral cooperation rather than cooperation unilaterally in the peace process.

He explained that his talks with the Egyptian President dealt with bilateral relations between Egypt and Germany and Egyptian- European relations. Concerning security relations between Egypt and Germany, the German minister said that this co-operation has been increased and improved during the past years.

He noted that his talks with the defense minister Lt. Gen. Hussein Tantawi ended with signing an agreement to preserve and keep the military secrets.

He stressed that his visit to Egypt which lasts for three days is part of the " Security co-operation which has been increasing in recent years.

He vowed that his country will continue its participation in the military maneuvers with Egypt.