Barack Obama is holding talks in the Middle East - je 23.07.2008 08 UTC

As Barack Obama is holding talks in the Middle East, Europeans are getting ready to receive him. The US presidential candidate's first stop will be Berlin -- where the choice of venue for his appearance sparked controversy among national and local politicians. Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel ruled out the Brandenburg Gate, a central venue in the city with a long and colourful past. Instead, another location has been chosen that has its own history.