New German foreign minister hails ties with Poland

Germany's new foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, said Saturday his country's relations with Poland were important for Europe.

Germany's new foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, said Saturday his country's relations with Poland were important for Europe as he made his first foreign trip since taking office.

"It is not by chance that my first visit is taking place in Warsaw," said Westerwelle, who met with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

"We are convinced that the friendship between our countries, our peoples, is not just good for us, it is equally important for Europe," he said.

For his part, Sikorski said relations between the two European Union members were "the best in all of history" and were based on a "mature partnership."

Westerwelle took over as foreign minister and deputy chancellor on Wednesday.

His pro-business Free Democrats formed a coalition government with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative bloc after elections last month.

Westerwelle also met with Polish President Lech Kaczynski during his visit.