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)