Visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on
Wednesday called for more efforts to be exerted to increase
stability in the Palestinian territories ahead of the upcoming
US-proposed Mideast peace conference.
At a press conference after his talks with Egyptian President
Hosni Mubarak at the presidential palace, Steinmeier called on all
parties to capitalize on the existing glimpse of hope that the
upcoming conference will provide and to reach specific workable
agreements.
The top diplomat noted that his current visit to Egypt focused
on the political aspect in light of preparations for the upcoming
peace conference slated for later this year in Annapolis, Maryland,
which will not be able to succeed without opening concrete horizons
to the Palestinian people.
Expressing Germany's keenness to contribute to the success of
the conference, Steinmeier noted that a lot remains to be done, he
also highlighted Egypt's important role to play in terms of
preparations for the conference.
In July, US President George W. Bush proposed to hold the peace
conference in the United States this fall to find a way to resume
the stalled peace process and end the chronic Middle East conflict
between the Arabs and Israel.
However, some Arab leaders doubt if the meeting will address the
core issues, including control over Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees
and borders of the future Palestinian state.
Mubarak and Steinmeier also discussed boosting Egyptian-German
ties in the various domains, as well as regional developments
primarily in Iraq and the Sudanese western region of Darfur.
Meanwhile, Steinmeier praised Egypt's "highly dynamic" achievements
in the economic field.
Steinmeier, who arrived in Egypt late Tuesday, is also going to
pay visit to the Palestinian territories and Israel to meet both
sides' leaders. Then he will leave for Turkey to attend the Iraq
neighbors conference.
(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2007)
