(VOVworld) - Europe needs to make a greater contribution to stabilizing the Middle East and should think about developing a joint strategy with Russia in this field.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble gestures during the session 'The Future of Europe' at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland January 21, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Russia should play a major role in the solution to Syria’s crisis, reducing tensions between regional powers Iran and Saudi Arabia as well as easing the refugee crisis. He added that Europe could not have a strategy in the Middle East or Africa without working with the United States and Russia. Prior to a new peace negotiations  over Syria in Geneva, Switzerland, there still remain differences between the Syrian government and the opposition on representatives to take part in the negotiation. Russia protested at the participation of radical Muslim groups in the negotiations, while Germany called on Muslim opposition representatives to join.