Brussels, 17/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - As reported earlier, the debate foreseen for Monday's General Affairs Council on conclusion of an EU/Syria Association Agreement was postponed (EUROPE of 15 May, p.4). On Sunday, Loyola de Palacio, European Commissioner for Energy and Transport, confirmed to the press in Damascus after talks with Syria's Prime Minister Naji Otri and ministers Ibrahim Haddad (oil), Makram Obeid (transport) and Mounib Saem Al Dahar (electricity) that the agreement was "practically agreed" but that it was still necessary to settle one thing - the question of the clause on weapons of mass destruction. The EU is resolved to conclude such an agreement despite the sanctions that the United States have now imposed against Syria, Ms de Palacio said, as reported by AFP Agency. Still according to AFP, Ms de Palacio told reporters that Americans are not applying pressure; "we are applying our own strategy".
A Commission press release states Ms de Palacio felt on this occasion that energy is the main medium for creating prosperity and stability in the region and she had noted that cooperation in the electricity sector had already "produced tangible results", while Syria must continue its structural reforms in the gas sector. The press release notes that the construction of an Arab gas pipeline between Egypt and Syria and Lebanon through Jordan will help to create a regional Maghreb gas market. It recalls that the Commission will be hosting a meeting of the EU/Maghreb working group on gas in Brussels on 26 and 27 May.
European Elections 2004