BERLIN - Germany on Wednesday welcomed the decision to include Iraq's neighbours, including Iran and Syria, in a high-level security conference on the future of the violence-wracked country.
"The German government has always said it is prepared to support everything that helps bring more security and stability to Iraq," deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said at a regular news briefing.
"This regional conference with the neighbouring states is likely to bring progress in these areas. We welcome the announcement of this conference and believe it is right that the bordering countries who have a responsibility for developments in the region and in Iraq are included."
Germany currently holds the rotating presidencies of both the European Union and the Group of Eight most industrialised nations.
The Iraqi government on Wednesday fixed a date of March 10 for an initial Baghdad conference of regional and world powers to discuss ways to work together to end the crisis in Iraq.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office said representatives of neighbouring countries, permanent members of the UN Security Council, the United Nations, the Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference were invited.
The United States and Syria have confirmed that they will take part in the conference -- which US officials expect to be followed by a second higher-level meet in April -- and Iran has said it will likely accept the invitation.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the second meeting would include the same group plus the Group of Eight.
Berlin has long encouraged direct dialogue with the Iranian and Syrian leadership on regional security issues including Lebanon, Iraq and the Iranian nuclear programme, against the resistance of the United States.
02/28/2007 15:36 GMT