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

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