Any peace initiative between the Palestinians and Israel that “does not recognize the two-state solution will not achieve peace,” Miguel Moratinos, the High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), said.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the former EU envoy for the peace process in the Middle East called for “building on previous negotiations” and stressed that the entire international community should be involved in the solution, not only a third party.
Moratinos is visiting Cairo as part of his mission to support the dialogue of civilizations and religions worldwide.
He said he did not have details about the so-called US “deal of the century,” but only a reading of the ideas that are being put forward.
The former foreign minister of Spain emphasized that achieving peace was possible. “But it requires the involvement of the concerned parties in real peace, based on what has been achieved in the past… For this to happen, the international community must be fully concerned.”
Asked about the American “bias” towards Israel, Moratinos said he could not judge on this matter, adding that the mistake was the reliance on a single third party, the US, while the crisis required the presence of other international parties.
On UNAOC’s role in promoting dialogue among civilizations and peoples of the world, the UN official explained that the organization’s priorities were the prevention and the identification of the causes of conflict of a social, cultural and religious nature, and the activation of mediation to reduce conflicts before they begin.
He highlighted three main frameworks to target - the youth, education and media.
The Spanish diplomat stressed that fighting terrorism should come through “changing the thinking and hearts of extremists,” which is “necessary for a better life for all societies.”
On the Arab-European relations, the UN representative noted that his previous work in the region made him aware of the importance and specificity of those relations, which he described as “good,” but “lacking continuity and strategic plans for dealing in all political and economic fields.”
