Middle East talks

In Jordan on the last leg of a three-day trip to the Middle East, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle urged Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to enter into direct peace talks.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Sunday, Westerwelle stressed that the countries should move away from "proximity talks" brokered by the United States in favor of direct talks that could lead to the formation of an independent Palestinian state.

"The coming months will be crucial," said Westerwelle. "We ask the parties to move from proximity talks to direct negotiations as a sole path that leads to the two-state solution and stability in the Middle East."

Westerwelle said Germany remained committed to "close coordination" with the US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, who is conducting the proximity talks.

He said that his Middle East trip, which began on Friday, was aimed at "probing the possible German contributions to efforts for pushing forward the peace process."

Jordan was the third stop in the foreign minister's current Middle East tour after previous visits to Lebanon and Egypt. Earlier in the day, he met with Jordan's King Abdullah II.

Importance of neighbors

Following his visit to Jordan, Westerwelle arrived in Damascus where he emphasized the importance of Syria's role in peace negotiations.

He said the country was indispensable for achieving a "constructive solution" in the region.

"Whoever wishes to support the peace process in the Middle East must also seek talks with Syria," Westerwelle said after meeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Following earlier meetings in Egypt with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Westerwelle stressed the importance of "goodwill" on the part of all parties with a role to play in paving the way for peace.

Westerwelle said Mubarak was a "man of great wisdom" who remained focused on the future following talks in Cairo.

Westerwelle praised Egypt's efforts in talks with Palestinians, which he said "would lead to more stability in the region."

Dispute over Nefertiti bust

In talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abul-Gheit, Westerwelle also discussed ownership of the bust of ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti.

German officials say the 3,400-year-old bust, displayed in Berlin's New Museum, was legally purchased by Prussia in 1913. Westerwelle ruled out a loan of the bust to Egypt saying it was too delicate to be moved and that it was in the interest of world culture for it to remain safe in Berlin.

Westerwelle said that there was no reason that a dispute over the ownership of the bust should drive a wedge between the countries.

rc/AFP/dpa/AP
Editor: Martin Kuebler