Brussels, 26/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU and Syria have decided to set up a joint experts group to unravel the knots that have prevented Damascus from signing an association agreement since 2009. The first meetings are planned in the next few weeks.
The visit of Commissioner Stefan Füle to Syria on Tuesday led to this decision. During this visit he had meetings with the country's main leaders, the vice prime minister in charge the economy Abdullah al-Dardari and the foreign affairs minister Walid al-Moallem. Subjects discussed included general Euro-Syrian relations, the signing of the agreement and the current situation in the region. The commissioner informed the press: “I came to Damascus with a clear message: it is time to sign the association agreement”.
This visit should have taken place last October but was cancelled at the last minute. The commissioner then sought to conclude his introductory visits in countries covered by his remit and to assess his partners' intentions before kick-starting the neighbourhood policy which had already been announced. Damascus still remains outside this relationship framework mainly because it fears European interference in its domestic political affairs.
The Syrians believe that the crisis has changed the basis on which the association agreement had been negotiated and they would like to change it. They are also convinced that the economic impact of this agreement (which calls on them to open up their markets) would damage their economy, which is still subject to tight controls. On many occasions, the EU has affirmed its commitment to accompany these reforms in Syria with appropriate measures and funding.
Syria's backtracking is in fact down to the failure of the reforms carried out by Vice Prime Minister Dardari, which has benefited Moallem, a representative of the “old guard”, who is very sceptical about any political and economic opening up. Economic objections are combined with the Syrian leaders' misgivings about allowing European partners an insight into their internal political situation. The Europeans are putting increasing emphasis on the need for democratisation in the region. Füle informed the press that he had provided Minister Moallem with assurances that “the association agreement was not an instrument for interfering in the internal affairs of Syria but to help promote the reforms programme”. Nonetheless, the commissioner is aware that the regional context since the Tunisian uprising (which has already given an example to the Egyptians and Algerians) will not help to make relations with the Syrians less strained.
Füle was expected to follow this visit to Syria by going on to Beirut but this plan has been postponed due to the domestic political situation (see other article). (F.B./transl.fl)