German FM Steinmeier on his first visit to the Middle East since resuming office – German Federal Foreign Office press release/Non-UN document

Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier on his first visit to the Middle East since resuming office

It was Foreign Minister Steinmeier’s first visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories since his return to office. The trip had already been planned before the death of the former Israeli Prime Minister.

Attendance at the funeral of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who died on Saturday, was the focal point of Foreign Minister Steinmeier’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on 12 and 13 January. On Monday Steinmeier described Sharon as “a tireless fighter for his homeland Israel. His fight is now finished. Today we will carry him to his grave together.”

Steinmeier told journalists in Jerusalem that, irrespective of this, the destination for his first non-European official visit in his second term of office “bore testimony to the close relations between Germany and Israel”.

Support for the Middle East Peace Process

In his inaugural speech on 17 December Foreign Minister Steinmeier described US Secretary of State Kerry’s mediation efforts in the Middle East as “admirable and persistent”. He went on to say that they had opened up “a unique window of opportunity for the whole region” in 2014. “As Europeans we must draw on all our energy to flank and support American efforts.”

Steinmeier stressed that there were “no guarantees” in the region. He nonetheless expressed his hope that the foundations could now be laid for a two-state solution. With this goal in mind, during his visit to the Middle East Steinmeier held talks with politicians from both sides, in which he supported the United States’ mediation efforts.

Opportunity for extensive talks

Following his arrival late on Sunday evening, Foreign Minister Steinmeier first participated in the official funeral ceremony at the Knesset on Monday and then attended the burial service at the farm of the Sharon family in the Negev. The numerous international guests included US Vice President Joe Biden and Quartet Representative to the Middle East Tony Blair.

On Monday afternoon Steinmeier then travelled to Ramallah in the Palestinian territories, where he met the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. Steinmeier said that Germany did not underestimate how much was being asked of the participants in the peace talks, but added, “Only when each side is willing to give way and seek a compromise will it be possible for the negotiations to be concluded successfully.”

The settlements issue

The settlements were an important issue for the Palestinian side. Foreign Minister Steinmeier expects the settlements also to be a focus of discussion at the next EU Foreign Ministers meeting on 20 January. Speaking in Ramallah, the Federal Foreign Minister emphasised that he had already issued a public statement from Germany following the first announcement of new building in the settlements, describing it as destructive for Secretary of State Kerry’s efforts, and had therefore urged that there be no further announcements.

Steinmeier concluded his visit to the Middle East with a dinner with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman before departing late on Monday evening. At the Israeli Foreign Ministry Steinmeier reiterated his hope that both sides would “negotiate seriously” and also see the advantages of an agreement. He added that a solution for peace would benefit the people on both sides.

doclink: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/sid_9D4F64DE089EBC89290E88E0CC73A9CB/EN/AAmt/BM-Reisen/_config/2014/01-Nahost/140112%20Nahost.html