Brussels, 06/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for Trade, Pascal Lamy is on a round to three Mashreq countries from 6 to 10 February, two of which have already concluded their negotiations over an Association Agreement - Jordan and Lebanon. The third, Syria, is continuing negotiations, slowed down slightly ed-2001 but for which a positive re-launch is expected in the coming months. Other than bilateral relations with each of the three countries, Lamy's visit should allow for the EU's interest to be stressed in the launch of the intra-regional integration process, as already begun by four other countries, signatories of Association Agreements (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan). It will also be an opportunity to raise with his different interlocutors in the three countries preparations for the meeting of Euro-Mediterranean trade ministers, in Tolede mid-March.
The first stage of his trip, on 6 February and until 8 February, will take him to Damascus. He will be received by President Bashar Al-Assad, with whom he will discuss both economic co-operation and the reforms policy that the Syrian Head of State is trying to have passed in his country, whose economy has so far been of the central type and not open.
A new government has been in place for two months and the priority task the President has assigned to it is to speed-up the economic restructuring process. Mr. Lamy will also have talks with the head of the government and ministers responsible for issues linked to co-operation (industry, economy, higher education, etc.). A meeting is also scheduled with Syrian businessmen.