German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer warned Monday that Europe was at a crossroads in the fight against terrorism and must engage in the Middle East or risk having conflict exported to its doorstep.
"Will the Mediterranean turn into a sea of co-operation or confrontation between us?" Fischer asked some 220 German ambassadors and officials at the start of a four-day conference focused on the so-called broader Middle East.
"The broader Middle East will be vital to fighting terrorism at its root cause," he said.
In an hour-long speech that began after he led a moment of silence for the victims of the school hostage taking in Beslan, North Ossetia, Fischer laid out Germany's Middle East policy aims, and emphasised the importance of a US role.
A key to resolving the region's conflicts, he said, was ending the long and bloody conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. "There is no way around a functioning two-state solution with both countries involved."
He renewed Germany's support for a plan developed by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to accelerate the withdrawal of troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip, provided it includes security guarantees for the Palestinians.
But Fischer, long a mediator in the region, voiced concern about Israel's relations with Iran and criticised Tehran for its controversial nuclear programme, which has raised fears that it may be developing atomic weapons.
"Iran ... is in a position which could prove tremendously positive. It has created every condition for a democracy. But we are deeply concerned about the erosion of human rights and tensions with Israel."
He said it would be a "nightmare scenario" if Iran had nuclear weapons.
Turning to Afghanistan, the foreign minister acknowledged that diplomats were struggling to meet their obligations to the fragile government in Kabul, and called for more funds.
"It is important to stand by our commitments particularly in terms of security and that we remain on the ground in the run up to the election," he said, in reference to vote for president on October 9.
In another keynote speech, the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, urged the German ambassadors to try to stay one step ahead of developments in the Muslim world if they want to help prevent further conflict.
"Predictability is probably the most serious thing the West has to deal with in the Islamic world today. If you do not understand the forces at play you cannot predict what is going to happen," he said.
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