''A Phase of Strategic Reorientation''

An estimated 70,000 people have died in the Syrian civil war so far. Following an alleged Israeli airstrike, Iran and Syria recently threatened retaliation. Egypt faces continued violent clashes between the Muslim Brotherhood and the opposition ... Over the past few weeks, have you ever considered giving up your job as EU Special Representative to the Middle East peace process?

Andreas Reinicke: On the contrary, I have considered doubling the job or the working hours. But of course, you are right. The situation in Syria in particular is worrying and tragic. The air strike on a site near Damascus is just another indication of how difficult the security situation is in Syria, also relating to its neighbours. We have the additional problem of the Syrian poison gas potential, which everyone is worried about, and the problem of the Palestinian refugees. There are about one million Palestinian refugees in Syria who are trying to remain as neutral as possible because they have no alternative, nowhere else to go. Some have fled to Jordan and Lebanon; one can only imagine the additional problems that that will generate.

In the past, Egypt has often played a very constructive and important role not only in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, but also in the wider Middle East in general. Do you believe that Egypt – with a government headed by the Muslim Brotherhood – can assume this role in the future? Egypt's President Morsi recently made remarks that make it seem unlikely.

Reinicke: It is important to remember that the entire Arab world and the region are going through a phase of strategic reorientation. Previous coalitions are no longer working properly, and the players have changed. We've already mentioned Syria, Morsi and Egypt are another area, Saudi Arabia is seeking a new role, and the Gulf States also wonder what the future will bring in relation to their ties with Iran. This all adds up to many new constellations.

One thing is clear, however: Egypt will play a major role even under the new president. I am in touch with the Egyptians, discussing the possibilities, and it is a long-drawn out discussion process. Egypt realises that it has to be constructive, and in the case of the Gaza conflict, it has already shown that it is willing to play a constructive role.

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So you're not afraid that Egypt will hamper rather than drive the Middle East peace process?

Reinicke: I believe that all states, including Egypt, realise that the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is a problem that has to be solved. They know their actual problems are domestic. They also know that the Palestinian conflict is a problem that causes unrest in the entire Arab world. A solution is in everyone's interest, also in Egypt's. But it is a difficult process and we hope that, with the new US administration and the willpower of the EU and its 27 member states, we can make a new attempt this year and make some headway.

You've mentioned the US, whose commitment is generally regarded as indispensible for a chance at success in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process. Do you see any signs and are you hopeful that President Obama will make a fresh start in the peace process during his second term in office?

Reinicke: The US plays an important and decisive role in the solution of the conflict, we all know that. But the Europeans will also play an increasingly important role in the future; the European Foreign Ministers have repeatedly made remarks along those lines over the past months.

We've heard US Secretary of State John Kerry's remarks at the Senate hearing, showing the significance he attaches to the issue. The coming weeks and months will show how things develop. In any case, the EU, the EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, and I are in close contact with the US administration to explore how we can take these steps together.

What do you expect from the new Israeli government, which is itself an important part of any solution to the Middle East conflict?

Reinicke: We expect the new government, currently still in the process of being formed, to be open to a two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accepted it in his speech at Bar Ilan University, and we would like to see the new government follow his lead and be open to negotiations just as we expect the Palestinians to continue to be open to talks after the UN General Assembly vote.

Apart from the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the debate about the Iranian nuclear program is another hotspot for the entire region. Recently, the US and Israel once again said that they would not tolerate Iranian nuclear weapons and would not exclude a military option. What is the EU's position on this issue?

Reinicke: You know that the EU and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton have a Security Council mandate to hold talks with Iran. We have been negotiating with great patience and seriousness for quite a while now. We will continue in that vein for the time being and hope the Iranian government will understand how serious the situation is and recognize the chances and opportunities the new US administration is offering it.

Interview conducted by Michael Knigge

Andreas Reinicke served as Germany's ambassador to Syria from 2008 to 2012. He was appointed the EU's Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process in February 2012.

© Deutsche Welle 2013

Editor: Rob Mudge/dw.de and Aingeal Flanagan/Qantara.de