Mubarak-Fischer talks cover deteriorating situation in ME
Egypt-Germany, Politics, 6/6/2001

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher Tuesday termed as "fruitful" President Hosni Mubarak's meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.

Speaking after attending Mubarak-Fischer meeting, Maher said talks covered the current deteriorating situation in the region and means to revive the peace process and put into effect Mitchell Commission's recommendations on ending violence and resuming negotiations.

"Mubarak stressed that Fischer's tour of the region reflects Europe's desire to calm down the Middle East region," Maher said.

"We have to move quickly to put into effect Mitchell recommendations, especially concerning ending settlement construction and resuming negotiations," he added.

"Israel is required to take immediate measures to freeze settlement construction, start security meetings and allow the Palestinians to move freely in order to be able to implement what is also required from them," Maher expounded.

He noted that security meetings between the two sides will begin soon to lay down the basis on which Mitchell report will be carried out.

"The two sides have to go back as soon as possible to the negotiating table," Maher said, stressing that ceasefire should be accompanied by a political work.

"So if Israel really accepted Mitchell recommendations, it has to move in this direction as the Palestinians did," Maher said, stressing that these recommendations are not confined to a ceasefire but they also include freezing settlement construction, re-building trust between the two sides and resuming negotiations.

Asked about what will happen if the situation remained as it is now despite current efforts, Maher said if this really happened, the Israelis would be committing a big mistake. "If Israel really wants to restore calm and security, it has to take some moves in this respect," he noted.

"All sides should realise the seriousness of the current situation. They have to refrain from attempts to make gains without paying the price," Maher said.

Asked whether the Palestinian resistance is convinced of Mitchell report, Maher said the PA wants to make political moves. "And as far as I know, the resistance has issued statements saying it will abide by the PA decisions," Maher said.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak receives German FM today   (6/5/2001)
  Bundestag delegation calls resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations   (5/26/2001)
  Why do many Germans dream of Egypt?   (5/21/2001)

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