German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier plans to visit the Middle East in the coming weeks, a foreign ministry spokesman said Friday, without naming a date or itinerary. The trip forms part of preparations for the Mideast conference due to take place in the United States at the end of November, Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said. At Germany's initiative, the European Union has agreed to work out an Action Plan for the Middle East, DPA reported. The goal is to promote small and medium-sized businesses in the Palestinian territories and build up special economic zones. The plan also aims to increase EU assistance in the training of Palestinian police and judiciary as well as in the educational and civil service sectors.
