German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin Sunday called for increasing pressure on both the Palestinians and Israel to deescalate violence in the Middle East region.
Schroeder invited Putin for a luncheon and talks at his private apartment in Hanover where the Russian president stopped over on his way back to Moscow from a visit to Iceland.
At a joint press conference held at the Hanover airport, Schroeder said that both of them were "concerned" over the situation in the Middle East. "We both are of the opinion that pressure must be exerted on both sides so that there is a deescalation of violence and anotherchance for peace," he said.
He also credited Russia for its support to the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan. The achievements in Afghanistanwere not possible without this support, he said. The German chancellor also urged parties in Afghanistan to realize the agreement on forming an interim government signed lastweek near Bonn.
Putin said that the anti-terror campaign was also important for ordinary people on the street. He said that Russia wants to work more closely with NATO and praised Schroeder as a good "mediator" on this matter.
( December 10, 2001)
