Brussels, 30/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - The 2nd session of EU-Libya inter-parliamentary dialogue on 27/28 January in Brussels ended with the feeling that Libya wishes a return to normal relations and does not rule out joining the Barcelona process, but not in its current state ("we could have joined at the beginning, but certain European parties were keen to keep us out"). Libya's agreement to joining the EuroMed policy, for which it is eligible, would therefore be dependent on better discussion and decision mechanisms, presently too unilateral, and a "clarification" of objectives. The head of the Libyan delegation, Ahmed Mohamed Ibrahim, Vice-President of the People's Congress (which stands in for Parliament in certain cases) repeated this message on every possible occasion, to both members of the Parliament delegation for co-operation with the Maghreb and UAM, organising the session, and Members of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee or political groups. Mr Ibrahim also met EP Vice-President Renzo Imbeni. The EPP-ED group, whose Spanish member Gerardo Galeote heads the delegation for co-operation with Maghreb, was positive about the outcome of the meeting, held in a climate marked by the gradual lifting of sanctions against Libya. "The gesture (coming to Brussels, in particular agreeing to a discussion with the Foreign Affairs Committee) was welcomed and appreciated. We must not forget that the initiative came from our political group" pointed out another member of the Partido popular Juan Salafranca, who praised the "gesture of goodwill of the Libyan authorities, who facilitated a frank and open climate for dialogue". He called this a "first step forward, but we must persevere". In this context, "the announcement of a possible visit by Colonel Ghaddafi to Brussels was deemed very helpful" (see EUROPE 28 January, p.7).
The main topics at the inter-parliamentary session, as in the all meetings, related to Libyan politics, domestic (human rights in particular) and external (Middle-East, Maghreb, Africa, weapons of mass destruction) and relations with the EU.
The human rights question was raised in a measured way by most European delegates, with an emphasis on improving the domestic situation. The head of the Libyan delegation recognised "with no complex" that the ideal situation in his opinion was to install "direct democracy" as defined in the "Green Paper". This work, by the Libyan "guide" Ghaddafi, proposes a model that Mr Ibrahim suggests to MEPs and journalists. He even offered to send them a copy.