Egypt -Italy promote political, security ties

Italian Interior Minister Enzo Bianco Sunday said Egypt-Italy relations are strong, cohesive, developing and outstanding, not only in economic, social, and cultural domains, but also in political and security affairs.

"There is security cooperation at the highest level, a model to pursue," Bianco said in statements to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) upon the arrival of President Mubarak in Rome on Sunday.

Enzo met with President Mubarak during his recent visit to Cairo. Last week, Enzo met with his Egyptian counterpart Habib Al-Adly, who was on a visit to Italy.

"Egypt and Italy have established important cooperation in security affairs, especially in terrorism-combat.

Italian Defence Minister Sergio Mattarella and Transport Minister Pierluigi Bersani will fly to Cairo next week to sign new accords with Egypt," Enzo said.

Answering a query on whether it was possible for Egypt and Italy, in view of the current conditions in the Middle East, to play a joint role in favor of stability in the region, the Minister said a solution has to be reached.

Otherwise, violence would grow in the region.

"We are working for the sake of peace based on principles of protection because this will contribute to the development and welfare of the peoples of the region," he said.