Brussels, 23/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 23 January, the Foreign Affairs Council appointed Andreas Reinicke to the post of EU Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013. His task will be to “contribute to achieving the EU's policy objectives in the region, including a comprehensive peace, a two-state solution and a settlement of the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese conflicts”, the Council says. Reinicke, who is currently the German ambassador to Syria, will also act as the EU envoy to the Middle East Quartet.
This appointment “underlines our reinforced commitment to the Middle East Peace Process. He will play a key role in our efforts to bring the parties back to the negotiating table”, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton in a press release.
Reinicke, a diplomat with more than 25 years' experience, has devoted most of his career to the Middle East. (CG/transl.rt)