Middle East News

2008 a "decisive year" for Mideast, says Steinmeier

Jan 17, 2008, 19:02 GMT

Berlin - This year could be a decisive one for the Middle East peace process, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Thursday.

'Israelis and Palestinians appear determined to reach an agreement,' he said in a speech prepared for delivery at a gathering near Frankfurt.

If the parties are serious about a two-state solution then the expansion and new construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has to be stopped, he said.

'I realize that the freezing of settlements is particularly painful for Israel, especially in the area of Jerusalem. But it is ultimately a question of credibility for the entire peace process,' he said.

The foreign minister said 'Israelis and Palestinians have to sense that negotiations will bring them concrete benefits - security on the one hand, a better livelihood on the other.'

Steinmeier called for greater efforts by the international community to strengthen the Palestinian economy in order to improve the living conditions of the Palestinians.

'We want to help them (Palestinians) establish contact with businesses in Europe and enable them to gain access to international markets.'

He said Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad would visit Berlin on January 23 for talks with German business leaders. During his stay Fayyad will meet with Steinmeier and possibly with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

© 2008 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur


COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Older Talkback

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Cynthia Nixon marries

Cynthia Nixon marries
Cynthia Nixon married her long-term partner Christine Marinoni in New York yesterday (2y7.05.12), her publicist has confirmed. ... more

Justin Bieber accused of assault

Justin Bieber accused of assault
Justin Bieber has been accused of assaulting a photographer in California after a physical altercation allegedly broke out when the paparazzo attempted to take pictures of the singer and his girlfriend Selena Gomez. ... more

Britney Spears' fiance makes romantic video for her

Britney Spears fiance makes romantic video for her
Britney Spears' fiancee Jason Trawick made a gushing video to tell the singer how proud he is of her US 'X Factor' debut in Austin, Texas, last week. ... more

Gary Barlow is boring

Gary Barlow is boring
Gary Barlow says his family are pleased he has been working on the Diamond Jubilee concert and single - because it has given him something new to talk about. ... more

Demi Moore meets up with Ashton Kutcher

Demi Moore meets up with Ashton Kutcher
Estranged couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have reportedly met up with each other twice in the last month to discuss the future of their relationship. ... more

Kim Kardashian accuses British Airways of stealing?

Kim Kardashian accuses British Airways of stealing?
Kim Kardashian has accused British Airways of stealing from her baggage after a recent trip to the UK. ... more

Justin Bieber buys $6.5m home

Justin Bieber buys $6.5m home
Justin Bieber has splashed out $6.5 million on his very first home, a seven-bedroom mansion in the Californian suburb of Calabasas. ... more

will.i.am splashes out £15k on laptops for talented youngsters

will.i.am splashes out £15k on laptops for talented youngsters
Will.i.am spent £15,000 on computers for members of a youth music project in London after they impressed him with their talent. ... more

Rochelle Wiseman and Una Healy party on hen night

Rochelle Wiseman and Una Healy party on hen night
Rochelle Wiseman and Una Healy celebrated their forthcoming weddings to Marvin Humes and Ben Foden with a joint hen party on Saturday night (26.05.12). ... more

Justin Timberlake celebrates engagement to Jessica Biel

Justin Timberlake celebrates engagement to Jessica Biel
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel celebrated their engagement with a star-studded party at Estee Stanley's Californian home on Saturday (26.05.12). ... more