Brussels, 21/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission and Libya resumed their talks on Tuesday 21 September after talks had been suspended for the summer and the Ramadan period, with a view to concluding a comprehensive cooperation agreement including free trade. Discussions focused during the session on the trade chapter, transport and general aspects, especially political aspects.
The mood appears one of optimism, according to opinions gathered on all sides. Libya at any rate clearly affirms that the strengthening of its relations with the EU will under no circumstances involve its inclusion in the Euro-Mediterranean game. Tripoli has a negative judgement of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), far more even than the reservation expressed on the Barcelona Process. It is convinced of the utility of an approach that would separate the western part of the Mediterranean from the eastern part. This is all too dependent on the ups and downs of the peace process. During a recent meeting of the “5+5” process (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Malta and the five UMA (Arab Maghreb Union), Libya called for this former cooperation to be enhanced and had even suggested it should be enlarged to Egypt and to Greece. However, “that is no longer on the agenda”, a direct Libyan source has said, as, when it is analysed, “involving Egypt would mean introducing the Middle East dossier” with all its complications. (F.B./transl.jl)