Brussels, 02/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - A hearing on the political situation and the state of human rights in Syria will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels on 30 March. Several personalities from the Syrian opposition and from associations for the protection of human rights are expected to attend. The Syrian ambassador has promised that an official will attend in order to explain the point of view of his country, but was not able to respond positively to the invitation extended to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Farouk al-Sharaa, to address in person the members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security of the European Parliament before the debate on the EU-Syria association agreement. The Belgian socialist Véronique De Keyser was appointed reporter for this dossier even although the agreement, initialled at the end of 2004, has not yet been signed. It should have been signed at the beginning of this year, but the political context of the region and developments in Lebanese-Syrian relations do not seem to plead in favour of an acceleration of the procedure, especially while Damascus is under strong pressure by the USA and Israel, and somewhat less so by the Europeans. According to Ms De Keyser, it would in fact be pointless to precipitate matters: "we have already waited, so why not be patient for a while longer, to allow time to clarify the situation. It is more important to determine whether this agreement will help Syria become a democratic and open country". It is necessary to "take into account the sensitive nature of the public opinion", the parliamentarian also stressed. Ms De Keyser nevertheless believes that "we should not focus on the Lebanese question because there are other specifically Syrian issues" and warned: "we will not go further than what we agreed upon during the last plenary session" (see EUROPE of 24 February, p. 9, and of 25 February, p. 4). In Strasbourg in February, reacting to suggestions by Mr Morillon (ALDE, French), the plenary session adopted a resolution affirming that "the Lebanese question and the withdrawal of Syrian troops will be a crucial factor but not a condition” for the signature of the agreement with Syria.
The same concern prevails among members of most political groups who undertook to consult each other in view of the presentation of a joint resolution during the forthcoming session in Strasbourg, which will deal with the Lebanese situation and Syria's role. Here also, efforts will be made, while seeking ways of encouraging Damascus to withdraw its troops and its information services stationed in Lebanon, but not doing anything which could contribute to destabilizing Syria. Of the projects which are in circulation, we hold to the assertion that any peace agreement in the Middle East must “include Syria” as well as Lebanon”: in other words, that no regulation should be drawn up to the detriment of these two countries.
Another resolution project is in the process of elaboration. It will be submitted for approval to the EuroMed parliamentary assembly (EMPA) which will meet in Cairo in mid-March.