The 65-year-old Javier Solana is EU’s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy since October 1999.

In July 2004 he was appointed for a second 5-year mandate.

Born in Madrid, the Professor of solid-sate physics entered politics in the Sixties when he joined the Spanish Socialist party.

After being elected at the Parliament, he held various posts in the Spanish government, notably as Minister for Culture, Minister for Education and Science and in 1992 Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 1995 he was named secretary general of NATO.

EJP: Are you more optimistic about the Annapolis meeting than before your Middle East trip?

Javier Solana: During my recent trip to the Middle East, I met Egyptian, Palestinian and Israeli leaders and in my discussions with them I gained the clear impression that although it will be very difficult, it is possible for the international meeting in Annapolis to launch a bilateral negotiation process that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. It is "doable". All leaders are fully aware that a failure at Annapolis will have dramatic consequences. There is a momentum towards re-launching the peace process; the international community is behind it, with the active involvement of the international Quartet and the support of the Arab League. All parties must do their utmost to ensure that the meeting has a successful outcome because failure is not an option. The period after Annapolis will be more important than the meeting itself and it will be crucial to have a political follow-up, in which the international community will play an important role.

Javier Solana with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R).

EJP: What was your report to the European Parliament this week?

Javier Solana: In my discussion with European Parliament Group leaders at a special conference they convened on the European contribution to the Middle East peace process, I briefed them on my recent trip, my impressions in the run-up to Annapolis and the role of the European Union in accompanying and supporting the Peace Process.

EJP: What do you expect from the Israeli and Palestinian parties ?

Javier Solana: We expect the parties to begin negotiating final status issues and to implement their obligations under Phase 1 of the Road Map in parallel. The Israelis and the Palestinians have to demonstrate their commitment to the two-state solution by taking without delay the measures needed to prepare the ground for the end-game. Israel has to freeze and then reverse its settlement policy in the Occupied Territories. The Palestinians have to demonstrate their will and their ability to assume the responsibilities that come with statehood, including the responsibility for security.

EJP: Which role should the EU play at the Annapolis meeting ?

Javier Solana: The EU will be present at the Annapolis meeting as a member of the Quartet. A number of Member States will also be present. In the run-up to Annapolis the EU has focused on creating the conditions that would allow for a successful meeting. At the meeting the EU will join the international community in supporting the bilateral talks between the parties and the final status negotiations. The EU is also ready to adapt its policies and activities in the light of progress in the peace process.

Javier Solana with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R).

EJP: Do you think additional sanctions against Iran are still avoidable?

Javier Solana: In June 2006 the EU put forward to Iran a generous and comprehensive offer. Iran still has the option to re-enter negotiations on that basis. The international community and the European Union will continue to pursue its dual-track policy of working at UN level on measures to apply if Iran does not suspend its uranium enrichment activities and of holding out at the same time the June 2006 offer of negotiations on a broad relationship if Iran does suspend those activities. On 28 September 2007 I received a clear mandate from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, with the full backing of the 27 EU member States, to encourage Iran to return to talks on a long-term agreement. I have, as you know, been in regular contact with the Iranians in order to see whether we can create the conditions for starting these negotiations. After the 23 October meeting in Rome I hope to be able to meet the Iranian negotiators again very soon, preferably before I brief, at the end of this month, the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany on the outcome of my contacts with the Iranians.


EJP: What is your view on ElBaradei’s report?

Javier Solana: The international community has asked the Iranians to do three things to restore confidence: deal with outstanding issues relating to the past; implement the Additional Protocol, relating to the present; suspend their uranium enrichment activities in order to enter into negotiations for an overall agreement, relating to the future. The report by Dr ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, deals mainly with the first issues, relating to the past. This represents a modest step forward but leaves many issues unresolved. There was some progress in dealing with the past but I would like to see more clarity about the present and the future situation.