Al- Hayat: You had a meeting, a trilateral, with the Foreign Minister of Syria and the Foreign Minister of Turkey, First of all, why the trilateral? Why Turkey, why Syria and Spain? What's on the agenda? Foreign Minister: Well, you know, we have with both countries Turkey and Syria excellent relations and we want also to send a clear message: ُTo have a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, you have to also address and include the Syrian track, from my point of view and from the point of view of others who we want to move on the Palestinians. Of course we know that is the priority now (Palestinian track). But we also have to engage the Syrians. Everybody sees that there must be an end of the settlements and an end of the conflict in order to have a constructive and positive attitude in the way of relaunching the whole peace process. Al-Hayat: Turkey had played a role to try to get a Syrian-Israeli track going. Of course, that was interrupted due to some deterioration in the relations with Israel because of the Flotilla and other matters. Is Spain coming in to fix that relationship between Turkey and Israel and Syria and how does that also fit in with what France is doing? Foreign Minister: We consider, and with absolute conviction , that the best partner to facilitate a final settlement between Syria and Israel is Turkey. They played a fantastic and very positive role during the time of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. They have such a special relation with Syria. They have been working tremendously and they were very close to reach an agreement at this period an it would be a pity to lose all this legacy. It is true that the relation between Israel and Turkey doesn't pass for the best situation, but I'm sure that the relations are going to improve. We have good relation of course with Israel and with Turkey. We are not mediating but we have of course, good intensive relations on both sides. I think that for the benefit of the region and for the benefit of relaunching the Syria track, I think It is good that Israel and Turkey will resume normal relations, intensify relations and I hope that this will happen. Al-Hayat: Is this where your role as Spain comes in, between Israel and Turkey? Foreign Minister: I think that Spain already has an important role. We have the respect and credibility of all actors. We have to remember that next year, we will be commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Madrid peace conference. I think that Spain has developed excellent relations with the Arab countries, of course, the main actors in the Middle East, like Egypt or Jordan, but also Palestine and Syria and then also with Israel. Al-Hayat: Then, why the trilateral, once again? Why a meeting with the three Foreign Ministers? Foreign Minister: The three Foreign Ministers, because, like I've told you in the beginning, we think that we have to start to identify, study, explore the way we could maintain and relaunch the Syrian track. Al-Hayat: And what happened to the French role? Foreign Minister: France, as President Sarkozy has proved during the last year, is also important. Both Spain and France are backing and supporting the Union for the Mediterranean. We are also trying to see- and that's also what's part of the meeting- how the political atmosphere continues in the right directio. We discussed also in the meeting this summit that is in principle scheduled for November of the Union for the Mediterranean. Then, the Chairman of the summit will be president Sarkozy. SoFrance has a role. Egypt, Spain will be the hosts, so we hope that all the leaders could come. But to make sure that the summit takes place, we need that the direct talks between Palestine and Israel are continued and that we start to have a better relationship between Israel and Turkey and Syrian track will be re-engaged. Al-Hayat: Did you agree to steps with the Syrian Foreign Minister and the Turkish Foreign Minister, that would lead to the launching of the direct talks between Syria and Israel? Foreign Minister: Turkey is the best partner for indirect talks. Because what has been achieved, and what has been the role of Turkey, Turkey has been always playing the third-party role of indirect talks. I think until now, I think that there is no perspective for direct talks, from what the Syrians told us and we do respect and that is the reason we are focusing more on the role of Turkey. Al-Hayat: Do they have, did you sense that the Syrians are ready to relaunch the Turkish role with Israel and did you sense there are preconditions for that? Foreign Minister: I think the Syrians have a full trust and confidence on the Turkey engagement and then it's up to see how we could how we could ameliorate the relations between Turkey and Israel. Al-Hayat: You said that the 20th anniversary of the Madrid conference is next year. So, should we understand by invigorating the Spanish role there is a revival of Madrid as a reference for negotiations, particularly Syrian-Israeli negotiations? Foreign Minister: Well, for Syria, it's very important- the Madrid reference. That has always been the case. For that reason, Madrid conference gave assurance and trust to the Syrian leadership. Al-Hayat: But are we talking of another Madrid to bring the different parallel tracks together? Foreign Minister: It's too early, but it's true that Madrid or another place, there is the symbolism of the anniversary. But what is clearly true is that the US administration and President Obama, the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Mitchell, they have launched the Palestinian-Israel talks for one year. So, one year means one year, one year means 2011 and 2011 means the 20th anniversary of Madrid.Sometimes, dates and years bring everybody to the conclusion that the time is right for a final settlement. And we have been working hard, with ups and downs, with difficulties since the Madrid Peace conference,, but well, not everything was negative.We had the Jordan-Israeli agreement, there has been even some very close moments for peace deals with the Palestinians and although the Syrians didn't achieve a final settlement, but they advanced quite a lot We know more or less what the final picture peace during these twenty years of hard work. Al-Hayat: And Lebanon? Foreign Minister: The Withdrawal of Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon, Lebanon is stabilized, even if we still need to have a peace deal with Lebanon and Israel but, the situation is much much better. I remember recently in 2006, there was a war in Lebanon, now we are consolidating the application of Security Council resolution 1701 and I think the Lebanese are living one of the best periods of prosperity and peacefulness since many years ago. Al-Hayat: Except that they are living on their nerves, because everybody has been talking about Lebanon's security is about to explode. Foreign Minister: I understand, they are very anxious, they have the right and the legitimacy to be nervous. But , at the same time, looking back at my difficult times in Lebanon, I have to send a message to the Lebanese people that well, you can now go at a restaurant, café, enjoy life. They are nervous, yes they are unsure, but there are not everyday bombs, there are no casualties. They are looking at a reconciliation process, a unity government, there are very good relations with Prime Minister Hariri and President Assad, and there is a good relation with all Arab governments, so really, really, it's a big change. Al-Hayat: Except that he Lebanese right now are living a sort of nightmare of what the Tribunal is going to come up with. There are parties who are demanding the elimination of the Tribunal for the Hariri assassination. Foreign Minister: You have to respect The Tribunal. What happened is dramatic and unacceptable - the assassination of the PM Rafik Hariri. Everybody including Spain and the European Union work for the Tribunal and work for knowing what happened. I know that this is a sensitive and difficult period but I think that once this period ends, the Lebanese could look to the future. Al-Hayat: Wait a second, Mr. Foreign Minister, I love your optimism but let's get to some of the facts. Many of Syria's allies in Lebanon as well as Hezbollah and their allies in Lebanon are demanding the elimination of the Tribunal? They are pressuring Saad Al-Hariri and others to just say this Tribunal will bring disaster to the stability of Lebanon and needs to be dropped. Foreign Minister: No, I think once you form the Tribunal, you have to go to the end of the Tribunalé Al-Hayat: Do you say that to your friends the Syrians? Foreign Minister: Of course. Al-Hayat: What do they say? Foreign minister: Well, they respect me, we have very good relations. Al-Hayat: Do they agree with you? Foreign Minister: I don't know if they agree, I told them, I'm very frank with them, and I think that now, there will be no reason for putting aside the Tribunal. Al-Hayat: Some European countries are trying to influence the Tribunal to postpone the indictment. Are you one of them? Foreign Minister: No, no. We are giving the Tribunal full independence and cooperation. That is the way in the case of Lebanon, of any international Tribunal, that is the general policy of Spain. Al-Hayat: So do you know if there's going to be the so-called postponement of the indictment? Foreign Minister: I have no idea. Al-Hayat: Spain has troops in UNIFIL. Foreign Minister: We have the troops and we have the command, General Asarta is the commander in chief and I think that this proves the European engagement. Sometimes people don't recognize the engagement of Europe. Well the main contributors of UNIFIL are France, Italy and Spain and I think we provide security and a good application, implementation of 1701. Al-Hayat: Let's talk about UNIFIL and the different incidents that have happened? Foreign Minister: Well, as you know, there have been some incidents, but not major one. I can assure you- I've been several times myself to the Spanish contingent and I found that they are very much in good relation with local people, with mayors and municipalities. They have very good relations, so there is a good cooperation. Al-Hayat: The Israelis keep threatening if the situation and the status quo continues with the arms of Hezbollah, the recurrence of these incidents They say they're not going to stand idly by. There are threats. Foreign Minister: You know, we passed difficult moments 6 of 7 months ago. I remember, I was myself in Israel, when there was all this polemic of heating up the situation. I conveyed a message from the Israeli government to the Syrians that they have to cool down and look to the way for engaging. I think, of course, there is always suspicion and some incidents but I have to tell the truth that is, in general, the atmosphere is much better. Al-Hayat: The Syrians played a role in calming down the situation in Southern Lebanon? Foreign Minister: Syrians have always been defending the Syrian role that they consider was a positive role and that we have a will to maintain this constructive role and I fully support and have a full confidence in President Bashar Al Assad. Al-Hayat: In Lebanon? They should play a role in Lebanon? Foreign Minister: They have the best relations. The different visits of Prime Minister Hariri to Damascus, the good cooperation that exist. I think the relations are much much better. Al-Hayat: And Iran? Iran seems to say that the more pressure you Europeans and the world put on Iran economically with sanctions , the more likely that Iran might revenge in a place in Lebanon? Foreign Minister: Iran has to engage seriously with the P5+1 and the nuclear dossier. Al-Hayat: They are getting angry. Foreign Minister: To get angry doesn't change anything. Al-Hayat: I'm not saying that they should do that. I'm just saying that there are fears. Foreign Minister: But they know that the EU is open and Mrs. Ashton is ready to engage seriously but they have to give us clear answers that they are going to deal with the nuclear issue. Al-Hayat: They haven't given you a clear answer and you have heard Mister Ahmadinejad in the General Assembly of the United Nations. Foreign Minister: With the help of friends like Turkey and Brazil and others, we could help this to happen. Al-Hayat: Did you think that Mr. Ahmadinejad speech in the GA was an answer to you Europeans and to the world? Foreign Minister: Well, the reference to 9/11 was unacceptable. I condemn that. I think, you come to the UN to offer cooperation, like President Obama said in his speech, maintaining a firm position, we respect the position of anybody, but we also ask the others to respect the other side. You have received this maintaining dialogue and then you criticize in such a form I think it was unacceptable from President of Iran to make this reference. Al-Hayat: Yet, engagement continues? Foreign Minister: I think in diplomacy, engagement is the only way. I always consider diplomacy. Al-Hayat: Let me wrap it up about the potential revenge by Iran from the strengthening of sanctions on Iran. There's a lot of fear that Iran is going to revenge in a place like Lebanon, in a way to explode the country, or it's going to revenge in the Gulf states, such as Kuwait or Bahrain. Foreign Minister: I don't know what Iran is going to do, but I know what we are going to do ourselves. We are going to maintain our presence in Lebanon, to defend territorial integrity in Lebanon, to work for peace in Lebanon, in Israel, in all the region, whatever Iran thinks, we have to maintain our commitment. That is going to be our answer, our permanent answer of peace and cooperation in the Middle East.
