German FM: Unilateral moves 'very counterproductive'

In Ramallah, Westerwelle says negotiations "should be the way" to achieve final settlement, without mentioning Palestinian UN state bid.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Westerwelle & Fayyad_311 (photo credit: Reuters)
Westerwelle & Fayyad_311
(photo credit: Reuters)
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle reiterated his support of renewed negotiations in the Middle East peace process, saying unilateral moves would be "very counterproductive," German news site The Local reported.
After talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah, Westerwelle did not mention specifically the contentious Palestinian state bid scheduled for this September at the United Nations, but emphasized that "negotiations should be the way."
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"Germany supports a two-state solution. We support the Palestinian people in having an independent state," The Local cited Westerwelle as saying.
Berlin had already expressed support for a two-state solution based on negotiated compromises and not on unilateral moves. Last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she supported US President Barack Obama's vision for a two-state solution based on lines from before the 1967 Six-Day War with mutually agreed concessions.
After meeting Westerwelle, Fayyad said that his government was not seeking simply recognition at the UN in September, but is looking for a "genuine state of Palestine, and one that is fully sovereign" WAFA reported.
While France, Spain, and other European countries have said they would recognize a Palestinian State, Germany has said that it would not until a an inclusive peace deal is signed with Israel.
Westerwelle will meet with his counterpart Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu later Tuesday.
While meeting with the German foreign minister, Lieberman expressed his worry over the situation in Syria. "All normal people are worried about the situation in Syria."