German interior minister praises Egypt's role in combating suicide

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, currently visiting Berlin, met Tuesday with German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière for talks on a number of issues pertaining to cooperation between the two countries in combating terror, security cooperation and enhancing security at Egyptian airports.

The German minister praised Egypt's historical and regional role and its capability to support stability in the region and particularly in Syria and Libya, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said.

Shoukry reviewed Egypt's efforts to combat terrorism, the latest developments in Sinai and challenges facing Egypt, the spokesman said.

Shoukry explained that the terrorist operations are taking place in only 4% of Sinai while the rest of the peninsula is stable, he added.

Shoukry thanked Germany for its rational and objective dealing with the developments in the Russian plane crash which reflects profound relations between the two countries and Germany's understanding of the importance of the tourist sector to Egypt, he said.

The Egyptian minister explained that four million Egyptians are operating in the field of tourism which was gravely affected in the wake of the plane crash, he said.

The German minister was keen to listen to Shoukry's evaluation of the challenges in the region such as the situation in Syria and Libya and the latest developments between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He asserted Egypt's ability to play an active regional role in dealing with all these crises, the spokesman said.

They also discussed illegitimate immigration and its impact on Europe and the region and importance of cooperation with Egypt to confront such issue, he added.

The German minister expressed his wish to visit Egypt in March as part of a regional tour to resume measures pertaining to security cooperation between the two countries, he said.

Source: MENA