Syria can only be rebuilt if the rebels who ousted Bashar al-Assad respect all communities in the country says Belgium’s new foreign minister, Bernard Quintin (Francophone liberal/MR). Mr Quintin notes Belgium is closely monitoring the situation in Syria.
Belgian foreign minister Quintin sees ‘opportunity’ in Syria, ‘but human rights must be respected’
Colin Clapson
Published:
‘Things are moving fast. It all happened in only a few days. This is a new opportunity. Assad's regime has come to an end. It was responsible for countless terrible crimes. For the future, we want to see the many rebel groups respect international humanitarian law, and respect and protect all Syrian communities. Only then can Syria be rebuilt.’
Quizzed about possible new attacks in Europe, as happened after IS advanced in Syria, Mr Quintin said ‘I don't know if we will see the same consequences, but we have to pay attention to the situation. Our intelligence and foreign services are closely monitoring the situation.’
Defence investments above 2 per cent
Mr Quintin stressed that the war in Ukraine will be his main concern, in the last weeks of the outgoing government. ‘Belgium has supported Ukraine from Day 1 and will continue to do so,’ he said. According to the new foreign minister, Ukraine is also fighting for European values. ‘We must be aware that if Ukraine loses, we all lose. This is an existential struggle.’
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are now on the cards for the first time. US President-elect Trump says he can solve the war in one day. Mr Quintin has his doubts about this. ‘I have heard that too, but we know that is not possible,’ he says.
Still according to Mr Quintin, parties discussing the new coalition government are looking at increasing Belgium's defence investments. These now stand at 1.3 per cent of GDP, but NATO (and president-elect Trump) set the bar at 2 per cent. According to Mr Quintin, the matter is under discussion in the coalition talks. Exactly how much is involved has not yet been decided. But Mr Quintin indicates that 2 per cent, 2.5 and even 3 per cent are not out of the question.
Belgium backs two-state solution
Mr Quintin was also quizzed on the situation in Gaza and the position of his party leader Georges-Louis Bouchez (Francophone liberal).
‘Georges-Louis Bouchez, the MR party and the government support a solution in the region,’ he says. ‘There have been too many innocent victims for far too long. There must be a ceasefire. All hostages must be released and work must be a made of a two-state solution. That is the only solution on the table.’
Nothing promised in exchange for his short-lived ministerial career
The question remains: why did professional diplomat Quintin leave a top job as ambassador to Washington to become a minister in an outgoing government for a couple of weeks? ‘I have been a diplomat for 23 years. I represent and defend the Belgian state in Belgium and abroad.’
‘Last Saturday I got a phone call from Georges-Louis Bouchez. That was a total surprise, but I did not hesitate. Serving as foreign minister, that's an honour.’
Still, it remains a remarkable choice. The chance of becoming ambassador to Washington is unlikely to return. Did Mr Bouchez promise him anything in return? ‘He did not promise me anything. He asked me to do this as a servant of the state and I said yes.’
After this term, Mr Quintin may return to a diplomatic post, he says. ‘I will not become unemployed after being a cabinet minister,’ he notes.
At the weekend Mr Quintin appeared on VRT’s Sunday current affairs show De zevende dag. His predecessor Hadja Lahbib, who is now a European commissioner, was apparently never available for the show.