European officials met in Brussels on Wednesday to take stock of the situation in Somalia and coordinate their positions prior to a meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia in Nairobi on Friday.

The meeting of foreign ministers of European members of the International Contact Group was called by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose country took over the rotating European Union (EU) presidency on January 1.

"It has to be our objective to do our utmost to ensure that developments in Somalia lead to stabilization, lead in a positive direction," Steinmeier told a press conference after the meeting.

European members of the contact group are Britain, Italy, Sweden, Norway plus the EU presidency and the European Commission. The full International Contact Group also includes the United States and Tanzania.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told the same press conference that the international community faces a "dramatic situation" in Somalia after the military intervention of Ethiopia at the invitation of the Somali transitional government.

"The contact group could play a role by being united on some key principles -- that includes (unity) across the Atlantic and with parties in the region," he said.

He added that the contact group has a role to play both politically and from the humanitarian point of view.

He also sees the situation as a "window of opportunity to take the process of national reconciliation in Somalia forward."

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt stressed the importance of the political process although a peacekeeping mission might also be necessary.

"If you talk about bringing in a force without a political process, I think that's a recipe for failure," Bildt told reporters after the press conference.

Ethiopian troops have to withdraw from Somalia quickly, he said.

Steinmeier talked about the necessity of a peacekeeping force for Somalia, but said such a force would be of African origin.

Ambassadors of EU member states will take up the Somalia issue on Friday. The EU foreign ministers' meeting on Jan. 22 will also debate this issue, said Steinmeier.

The internal conflict in Somalia between the transitional government and Islamic militia was complicated as Ethiopian troops joined the Somali government in fight against Islamists.

Steinmeier expressed concern on Wednesday at the risk of the conflict spilling over into neighboring Kenya, saying the situation is "anything other than stable."

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2007)

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