CAIRO - Germany, which is keen on restoring regional stability after the Arab Spring, has urged the new emerging political powers to promote democracy, freedom of expression and human rights in the region, a senior Berlin Government official said in Cairo. In the meantime, the Berlin Government and European countries would maintain their financial and economic support to Arab countries during a transitional period from authoritarian rule to fully fledged democracy, Mr Günter Nooke, German Chancellor's G8 Personal Representative for Africa in the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development, said. "Germany, which has been a strong supporter of democracy in the Arab world, will keep on its policies of economic assistance to Egypt and Tunisia during the transitional periods after their revolutions," Mr Nooke told The Egyptian Gazette in an exclusive interview during an official visit to Cairo that ends today. During his two-day visit, aimed at getting first hand information about the present situation, Mr Nooke had held a series of meetings with representatives of civil society groups to learn about their views prior to Egypt's parliamentary elections that will start on November 28, he added. The German Chancellor's representative highlighted the role the local civil society could play in promoting democracy and freedom of expression. The battle for Egypt's future, as official campaigning began on Wednesday for the parliamentary elections, is seen as vital for restoring stability after eight months of military rule. The elections winner could gain the first popular mandate in modern Egyptian history after decades of strongman rulers and secure a decisive role in drafting a new constitution ��" the subject of power struggles between Islamists, liberals and the army. Last week, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the body of generals that has ruled the country since Mubarak's February 11 fall, has announced it would put together a set of guidelines for a new constitution that is to be written after the elections planned for later this year. Mubarak's overthrow allowed Islamist groups with grass-roots support to enter formal politics and shattered the order built around his now disbanded National Democratic Party. A plethora of smaller secular liberal and left-wing parties remain to oppose the Muslim Brotherhood, which came late to the uprising against Mubarak and now stands to benefit most from the freedoms it brought. The elections are due to begin on Nov. 28 and will last until March, with different dates for different chambers and regions of the country. "For Germany, it is does not matter who wins the elections or parliamentary majority, but what is important is that the winners will keep their pledges and commitments for promoting democracy and respecting human rights," Mr Nooke stated. He declared that his country is not concerned about the potential influence of Islamists over the writing of the constitution. However, the German official stressed, "the vote winners should honour Egypt's commitments to international treaties as well as the peace treaty with Israel". "Peace and stability in a democratic Middle East is vital for the security of Europe and the whole world," he said. Mr Nooke highlighted the importance of setting up strong democratic institutions that would bolster and respect freedom of speech, expression and assembly in Egypt after the January 25 revolution. He also emphasised the necessity of economic development, which he described as a key element for creating a more democratic environment in Egypt.
