German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said here on Thursday that his country would do everything possible to guarantee the security of the World Cup in the summer.

Speaking at a conference on the security of the World Cup, Schaeuble said Germany would take every security precaution necessary, but did not want to turn the event into a "security World Cup".

About 280 representatives from all 32 participating countries attended the two-day conference.

Germany, rather than erect barriers, would open doors so that the World Cup would be a festival of friendship, he added.

In his welcoming remarks at the conference, Franz Beckenbauer, German football icon and president of the organizing committee, said Germany was preparing to put 7,000 soldiers on call to help maintain security at the competition.

"We have provided the World Cup with as much security as possible. I don't see why the armed forces shouldn't be called in if needed," said Beckenbauer.

During the World Cup tournament starting from June 9, 64 matches will be played in 12 German cities.

Source: Xinhua