Berlin, Dec 17, 2005 (IRNA) – German Defense Minister Franz-Josef Jung is to embark on Monday on a four-nation tour of the US, Djibouti, Afghanistan and Pakistan, a Defense Ministry press release said Saturday.

In the US , Jung is scheduled to meet with his American counterpart Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and national security advisor Stephen Hadley.

Talks will focus on deepening transatlantic ties and exchanging thoughts on the joint security and defense policy.

The defense minister will then travel to Djibouti to inspect German naval units which are deployed at the Horn of Africa within the framework of the international anti-terror campaign 'Operation Enduring Freedom'.

Meanwhile Jung is expected to arrive on Thursday in Kabul where he will meet with German peacekeeping soldiers.

The German defense minister will conclude his five-day international trip by traveling to Pakistan where he will be updated on the humanitarian relief operations of the German army following the recent devastating earthquake in that country.

There are also plans for a meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal.

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