Fischer Talks with Israeli, Palestinian Leaders in Middle East

Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer met for the first time with his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom on the first day of a three-day trip to the Middle East that also included talks with leaders in the Palestinian territories. The talks focused on the situation in the region, as well as the efforts of the international community to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

After his meeting with Shalom on Monday (April 7), Fischer called the road map for peace in the Middle East, expected to be published soon, an excellent instrument for ending terror and violence and for achieving a breakthrough to real peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The road map is being developed by the so-called "quartet" of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations secretary-general and Russia. Fischer's meeting with Shalom and his subsequent one-on-one talks with Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon were "to create security and move forward with the peace process so Israel can live side by side peacefully with a democratic Palestinian state," Fischer said in a joint press briefing with Shalom. "I think everything should be done by the international community, by the parties, to move forward in this direction."

Fischer also reiterated Germany's commitment to Israel. "Our support for the right of existence of Israel as a Jewish state and the right of the people of Israel to live in peace without fear and threat of terror is crucial, and we do not negotiate this position with anyone, because this is a cornerstone of German democracy, based on our historical responsibility as a nation," Fischer said. Shalom thanked Fischer for his efforts and for being a very close friend of Israel. "He was here many times before, and once again, he expressed his commitment to Israel, his solidarity with the Israeli people, and I want to thank him for it," Shalom said.