JERUSALEM, Dec 5 (AFP) - German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said Sunday he saw an historic opportunity to advance towards the creation of a Palestinian state as he predicted a growing US involvement in the Middle East peace process.
Fischer said he had been filled with optimism after becoming the latest in a growing list of top diplomats to hold talks with the new Palestinian leadership before meeting senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
"This might be an historic opportunity to push forward the peace process in the next weeks and months in order to reach a two-state solution," Fischer said after talks with new PLO chairman Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
"It`s very important that the suffering on both sides is ended. It is necessary to find a compromise between both sides.
"We hope that a long-lasting ceasefire will be reached to stop terror and violence," he told reporters.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Britain`s Foreign Secretary Jack Straw have all held talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials since Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died last month.
In a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom, Fischer also said that the US government would become more involved in the push for peace.
"I am convinced that the new American administration will strengthen its efforts," he said.
US President George W. Bush told Pakistan`s President Pervez Musharraf in Washington on Saturday that "there is an opportunity at hand to work toward the development of a Palestinian state and peace in the Middle East."
"I told him that this will be a priority of my administration," said Bush.
Shalom assured Fischer that "Israel will do everything to encourage the elections" for a new Palestinian Authority president after the German minister urged Israel to enable east Jerusalem residents to take part in the ballot.
Shalom, who has in the past criticised what he regards as the European Union`s pro-Palestinian bias, said that he wanted "Europe to play a key role in the Middle East process."
Abbas, who is contesting the election for the dominant Fatah faction, said he welcomed "all international support" for the January 9 elections but said it was vital that Israel "guarantee the free movement of all citizens".
"The election cannot be conducted while Palestinians are still living under the threat of assassination and the destruction of their homes. Israel has to end immediately all forms of aggression."
Fischer was wrapping up his 24-visit by holding talks with Sharon before flying back to Berlin.
12/05/2004 16:31 GMT - AFP