BSS, Dhaka :
Richard Howitt, visiting vice-chairperson of European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, told BSS that the European Parliament had decided to recognize the state of Palestine as a sovereign entity.
“This, we believe, will give much-needed impetus to the stalled Middle-Eastern peace process,” Howitt said.
The Member of Europe Parliament (MEP) was talking to BSS at Hotel Amari here on Friday.
Asked if that was enough, he replied, “What else can we do? We take one step at a time and I believe it is a major step forward.”
Replying to a supplementary question regarding the lack of strategic thinking in achieving peace in the Middle East, he said, “It would be extremely desirable if such strategic thinking was available but we are trying to do our best under the circumstances.”
“We understand the genuine grievances of the
Arab World and the Muslims in general (about the lack of a fair solution) but then we are trying to address them as best as we can,” he added.
Asked about the “historical burden” of England and especially Lawrence (of Lawrence of Arabia notoriety), he said, “I can only speak for myself and my generation. I cannot take responsibility for what my predecessors did.” Referring to the way the “Arab Spring” backfired in Syria and Libya, he said, “We’ve initiated peace talks involving all sides (to resolve the Syrian crisis) and we are optimistic about a solution.”
Asked if that included President Bashar Al Assad, he answered in the affirmative. Asked if that was enough, he answered, “What else can we do?”
Delving on the political vacuum that ensued in Syria following the prolonged civil war and the ouster of
Gaddafi in Libya that created space for non-state actors like the Islamic State (IS) to emerge, he said, “We are trying to do everything possible to improve the situation.”
“We don’t have a magic wand. The problems of the Middle East and the world will not change overnight. We try to solve it, one at a time, step-by-step,” he summed up his position.
Asked about France’s insistence in the NATO intervention in Libya, he avoided an answer.
Richard Howitt, visiting vice-chairperson of European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, told BSS that the European Parliament had decided to recognize the state of Palestine as a sovereign entity.
“This, we believe, will give much-needed impetus to the stalled Middle-Eastern peace process,” Howitt said.
The Member of Europe Parliament (MEP) was talking to BSS at Hotel Amari here on Friday.
Asked if that was enough, he replied, “What else can we do? We take one step at a time and I believe it is a major step forward.”
Replying to a supplementary question regarding the lack of strategic thinking in achieving peace in the Middle East, he said, “It would be extremely desirable if such strategic thinking was available but we are trying to do our best under the circumstances.”
“We understand the genuine grievances of the
Arab World and the Muslims in general (about the lack of a fair solution) but then we are trying to address them as best as we can,” he added.
Asked about the “historical burden” of England and especially Lawrence (of Lawrence of Arabia notoriety), he said, “I can only speak for myself and my generation. I cannot take responsibility for what my predecessors did.” Referring to the way the “Arab Spring” backfired in Syria and Libya, he said, “We’ve initiated peace talks involving all sides (to resolve the Syrian crisis) and we are optimistic about a solution.”
Asked if that included President Bashar Al Assad, he answered in the affirmative. Asked if that was enough, he answered, “What else can we do?”
Delving on the political vacuum that ensued in Syria following the prolonged civil war and the ouster of
Gaddafi in Libya that created space for non-state actors like the Islamic State (IS) to emerge, he said, “We are trying to do everything possible to improve the situation.”
“We don’t have a magic wand. The problems of the Middle East and the world will not change overnight. We try to solve it, one at a time, step-by-step,” he summed up his position.
Asked about France’s insistence in the NATO intervention in Libya, he avoided an answer.
