RAMALLAH/SOFIA, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Sunday expressed hope for a smooth Palestinian presidential election, saying it is a historic opportunity to push forward the peace process in the region.

    Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee, Fischer said he had been filled with optimism by the talks with the Palestinian leadership.

    "This might be a historic opportunity to push forward the peaceprocess in the next weeks and months in order to reach a two-statesolution," he said 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," he added.

    While calling on Palestinian factions to participate in the election, the German foreign minister said the quartet committee, comprising the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States, deems the election important and supports it.

    The top German diplomat also said the international community will make an all-out effort to help achieve peace in the region.

    Fischer was echoed by his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos, who said after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo that there is a new chance to achieve peace in the Middle East.

    Moratinos, who has visited Israel earlier, said his talks with the Palestinians and Israelis proved there was a new atmosphere inthe region, which promised hope.

    "We hope to arrive at a final solution as quickly as possible in which two states live side by side in peace and security," he said, stressing the Palestinians and Israelis should work togetherto re-build trust.

    He added that the Palestinian presidential election, slated forJan. 9, should be well prepared, so that the Palestinians can casttheir votes in a "good atmosphere."

    Meanwhile, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has asked the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to send observers.

    OSCE chairman Solomon Passy supported the request. "This was broadly supported by all six members of the OSCE Mediterranean partner group, and Israel said it had no objections," said an OSCEspokesman.

    Passy made clear his attitude at a meeting with officials from Israel, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan in Bulgarian capital Sofia on the eve of a meeting of OSCE foreign ministers.

    The officials are attending the ministerial meeting as delegates from OSCE partners.

    Earlier, the European Union (EU) has already announced that it will send observers to the Palestinian election.

    On Sunday, the PNA called on the Palestinians living in east Jerusalem to participate in the election.

    Meanwhile, PNA minister Jamal Shobaki presented a complete review of preparations for the local council elections on Dec. 23,saying he would continue meetings in Gaza to conclude all arrangements for the elections.

    He stressed the importance of participation of all forces and necessary supervision and monitoring to achieve honesty and integrity in the local council's elections. Enditem