BERLIN, Feb. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that the difference over the Iraq war was "over once for all".

    The remark came before a planned visit to Germany by US President George W. Bush. "Bush accepted and respected Germany's position," said Schroeder to the Mainzer Allgemeine newspaper published on Tuesday.

    "We now have a common interest in the stabilization and democratic development in Iraq," he said.

    Schroeder reiterated that Germany will send no troops to Iraq. "President Bush knows our position," he said.

    The Chancellor said he expected a strengthening of the German-American relationship through the meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Mainz, Germany, on Wednesday.

    "I'm convinced that Europe, first of all we Germans, need the solidarity with the USA," said Schroeder.

    "Europe and the USA depend on each other to overcome the big international challenges." Enditem