BRUSSELS, 23 January 2012 (WAFA) – The Council of the European Union appointed Andreas Reinicke as EU Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process, said an EU press release on Monday.

It said that the Special Representative task is contributing to achieve 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.

“Reinicke will act as EU envoy to the Middle East Quartet,” it said.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton said, “I am delighted to have nominated Andreas Reinicke to this vital post, which underlines our reinforced commitment to the Middle East Peace Process.”

She said that Reinicke, who is an experienced diplomat with huge knowledge of the Middle East, will play a key role in EU’s efforts to bring the parties back to the negotiating table.

“EU's objective remains the creation of an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. The EU, along with its Quartet partners, has a key role to play in this process,” she said.

M.H./F.R.