King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is scheduled to discuss with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday a range of issues topped by the Middle East following the beginning of indirect Palestinian-Israeli talks. The discussions are also expected to address means of strengthening Saudi-European relations and Riyadh-Berlin political, economic and trade ties. Speaking ahead of the chancellor's visit, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the Kingdom had a “pioneering” role in achieving peace in the Middle East. “Riyadh has been and still is keen to ensure security in the region,” Westerwelle told Okaz. “There is no alternative to the option of the two states of Palestine and Israel.” According to Westerwelle, the Palestinians “have the right to live in a workable independent state”. “At the same time, Israelis also have the right to live with security and stability. There is international and European consensus that the commitment to the Road Map articles with an Israeli halt to settlements is the basis for direct negotiations to return,” he said. Westerwelle said Merkel's visit, part of a tour that also takes in the United Arab Emirates, was significant in its timing and that both Berlin and Riyadh were giving security in the Arabian Gulf their utmost attention. “The European Union and Germany are still concerned at the Iranian nuclear issue and the possibility of Iranian non-peaceful use of nuclear power,” he said.
