German FM arrives in Israel

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a three-day visit during which he will head for the Palestinian territories.

Fischer, whose country currently presides over the rotating presidency of the European Union, will discuss with the Israeli officials means of launching the stalemated Middle East peace process following Israel's implementation of the Wye river agreement.

The German minister, who is the leader of the Green Party in his country, will take part in a seminar to be organized by Tel Aviv University under the title "The changes of various political policies in Europe" following the uprising of May 1968 in France.

Fischer will meet today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Ezer Weizman and his Israeli counterpart, Ariel Sharon, before he heads to the Palestinian territories to meet with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Informed sources said the two sides will discuss the recent development of peace process in Middle East and economic aid to the Palestinians and Israelis.