(ANSA) - BERLIN, FEB 9 - Martin Schulz, the leader of Germany's Social Democratic party, has officially announced that he will not take up the Foreign Minister post in the next coalition government. In a statement, Schulz explained his decision by underlining that the dispute over appointments should be closed in order not to endanger the upcoming SPD memberhip vote on the Grosse Koalition. ''I therefore herewith announce that I will forego entering into government - Schulz said - and I hope at the same time that the discussion surrounding my person will come to an end''. ''I have always emphasized - he added - that we would enter a coalition if our social democratic claims were included in the contract, in order to improve education, assistance, welfare, employment and tax system. I am proud to say this is what happened. Therefore, it is even more important to me that the SPD base votes in favour of this contract, since they are happy with these contents exactly as much as I am''. (ANSA).