Press Releases

November 23, 2007

German Foreign Minister Steinmeier to Attend Middle East Conference in Annapolis

In his function as presiding chairman of the G8 group of industrialized nations, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will attend the international Middle East Conference in Annapolis, Maryland, on the invitation of his American colleague, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. It will be Steinmeier’s first trip abroad in his new capacity as Vice-Chancellor.

The convening of the Annapolis Conference on the Middle East has already triggered a positive dynamic in the region. Germany did its utmost to assist in the preparation of the conference, in close coordination with its American friends and partners in the region. In attending the conference, Foreign Minister Steinmeier will strive to further improve the prospects for the Middle East peace process.

The conference will begin on Monday evening with a dinner at the State Department in Washington. On Tuesday, the parties will then meet for the entire day in Annapolis. Attending the conference are the parties to the conflict – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert – and representatives of the Arab neighboring states, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the Arab League, the EU, and other countries.

The German Government hopes that the conference signals the start of a negotiating process that will make the two-state solution a reality. The aim is to seize the hoped-for momentum, to foster it as best possible, and to make it tangible for the people in the region. Already in the run-up to Annapolis, a gradual improvement could be detected in the region – also for the people. This stabilization is already an initial success for the conference. Among other things, it is the first time that the entire region of the Middle East was included in the preparations. This effort to integrate the region into the discussions could have a positive impact on the further negotiations.

A donor conference, which will deal with improving the living conditions of the Palestinians, will also take place in Paris on December 17.

Europe Supporting the Peace Process

Under its EU Council Presidency, Germany initially succeeded in re-activating the Middle East Quartet. At several meetings, the partners strove to breathe new life into the peace process, which had stalled.

However, it is also important that the EU be prepared for the period following Annapolis. For this reason, Foreign Minister Steinmeier had submitted the proposal of a Middle East action plan to the EU foreign ministers. In response, the Council of EU Foreign Ministers took up an action strategy that EU High Representative Javier Solana had presented with the participation of the EU Commission. It forms the basis for the further work of the EU, but could be further developed when the results of the meeting in Annapolis are taken into account.

Also at the bilateral level, the German Government is preparing an assistance package that Germany can and wishes to contribute, so that the political negotiating process additionally brings progress to the people in the region.

Steinmeier in the Region

Foreign Minister Steinmeier last held intensive talks in the region late in October. At that time, he could already detect that all sides were seriously working toward progress in the peace process prior to the conference in Annapolis. It is clear to Steinmeier that Israel and the Palestinians themselves must reach an agreement; however, the EU is willing to assist.

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