Brussels, 05/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission spokesperson confirmed this Wednesday that, in the Commission opinion, the recent development marked a move towards normalisation of relations between the EU and Libya. It is true that the language used by the Libyan leader is very different in his bilateral meeting and in his public statements and that President Prodi publicly expressed his deception over this (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.4). Though, according to Mr. Levi, there where no contradictions and as for the Libyan intentions: it intends to strengthen and reinforce its relations with the European Union.
Mr. Levi also underlined that many European Heads of State and Government walked the road opened by Mr. Prodi. A few months ago, no European political leader wanted to have contacts with Colonel Kadhafi even talking to him on the telephone "seemed a threat for a common foreign and security policy;" presently, he is a much sought after interlocutoral discussion partner. However, Mr. Levi recognises that the Colonel confirmed that the Barcelona process "does not interest him," and who intends to talk on behalf of Africa, while the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue divides Africa.