Berlin, December 08 (Saba) - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Wednesday he was "very concerned" about recent reports that the Middle East peace talks were stalling. "We must not fall back into a phase of speechlessness, but must keep the negotiating partners at the table," Westerwelle said, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA).

His comments came after a US announcement that it had abandoned plans to persuade Israel to renew a freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank.

"These direct negotiations are an opportunity. Such opportunities do not come along often," Westerwelle said, after meeting his Cypriot counterpart Markos Kyprianou.
The minister also called upon the European Union to play a greater role in the negotiations, and stressed the importance of the Middle East Quartet, made up of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU, the German Press Agency dpa reported.

"It is my impression that increased involvement and a bigger role for the Middle East Quartet could be helpful now," Westerwelle said, adding that the group had been helpful during earlier talks in Moscow.

The minister stressed Germany's commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.

"We remain convinced that settlement activities must be frozen," Westerwelle added.

Saba