Brussels 27/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 May, European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso received the Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, at the end of his first visit to Brussels since his appointment.
“We discussed the transition process underway in Libya and the general situation in the region” on the security and political levels, said Barroso. He commended his guest for his “commitment to a peaceful and democratic transition” and “his efforts to establish good neighbourhood relationships with the countries of the region”. “We want to be the partners of Libya”, which has to establish a constitution and observe the electoral timetable, said Barroso, who stressed that Libya's transition must remain “inclusive” and that the “spirit of national reconciliation” must win out over attempts to create sectarian divisions.
For its part, the EU will honour its commitments to support the transition of this country to democracy, Barroso stated. The total European aid programme currently stands at €95 million, “with an emphasis on public administration, security, democratic structures, migration, professional training, education and health”. Of this amount, €25 million goes directly to support civil society. On top of this comes the specific EUBAM border security mission, which has just been launched. Europe will make efforts to “shore up Libya's ability to manage its borders”, Barroso pledged, adding: “The stabilisation of the country and the creation of common and unified security structures is vital to consolidate the rule of law, an independent legal system and, of course, long-term stability. We will help Libya to face all of these challenges”.
Barroso spoke of the intentions of the Commission and of Libya to step up talks with a view to concluding a bilateral agreement in the medium term, which will take the form of a “framework agreement”, covering such issues as economic cooperation, investments and energy.
Zeidan met the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs committee and delegation for relations with the Maghreb. (FB/transl.fl)