Berlin - Germany's outgoing foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, interpreted the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to US President Barack Obama on Friday as a way of urging the world to work step by step to peace and nuclear disarmament.

In a written statement in Berlin, Steinmeier praised the award, saying it was "an important signal of support for the American president's policies of cooperation."

The Social Democratic minister added, "His courageous policy of offering the hand of friendship is the right way to shake up solidified fronts in so many conflicts and encourage peaceful cooperation among nations.

"Especially his vision of a nuclear-free world has given new impetus to international disarmament efforts. The award today is an appeal to us all. We must work with all our might to make this vision step by step into reality."

Steinmeier, whose party is going into opposition, is set to lose office when Chancellor Angela Merkel's next government forms. (dpa)