Fischer calls for EU-Mideast dialogue

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, in remarks that effectively differentiated European Union policy from Washington's said yesterday that Syria and Iran should not be isolated.

"We have to think seriously (of including) countries like Syria... and Iran," Mr Fischer told Arab television Al Jazeera. "These countries are part of the region and important players, regardless of criticisms we might have of their policies."

The comments contrasted to policies of the United States, which condemns Iran as part of an "axis of evil", alleging it has sought nuclear weapons, and which is mulling sanctions against Syria, accusing it of aiding anti-US violence.

Mr Fischer called for a broad dialogue between the European Union and Middle Eastern countries, which should be at both government and grassroots levels.

"We need a true partnership with Arab countries... to launch the development process that this region needs," he said in remarks translated into Arabic.

"We need a true dialogue and are always willing to learn. But I understand the fears of Arab friends we speak to, which are due to past experiences of Western hegemony that are hard to erase."

Mr Fischer earlier this month called on Western allies to launch a unified Middle East initiative in which social and economic hopes feature as highly as security fears. His plea came in response to a US call for such an initiative.

In the interview, Mr Fischer described his vision of a wide dialogue encompassing civil institutions, universities and economists as well as government leaders.

He said the EU was discussing the issue and called on an Arab summit scheduled for late March also to take it up.

"We hope that Arab countries present a clear stand about the development path they would like to take," he said.