Brussels, 20/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - A delegation of the European Parliament's Socialist Group, headed by two of its vice-presidents, Hannes Swoboda (Austrian) and Pasqualina Napoletano (Italian), and mainly formed of Béatrice Patrie (French) who chairs the European Parliament delegation for relations with the Mashrek, and Véronique de Keyser (Belgian), rapporteur on the EU-Syria Association Agreement, was in Damascus from 16 to 18 September. While there, it met the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr Al Abrash, Vice Prime Minister Al Dardari and other members of the government and parliament. Members of the delegation also met religious figures, in particular at the Kaftaro centre for cultural and religious exchange.
The feeling that comes out of this visit is that the Syrian government is ready to act in a positive manner in the context of the Middle East peace efforts, and towards Lebanon. According to Véronique de Keyser, Damascus will be distancing itself from the Iranian positions and from those of the Lebanese Shiite factions. Speaking to the press, the Belgian Socialist also asserted that Syria accepts UN Security Council Resolution 1701 on Lebanon, but in the context of future peace in the region. She also has the impression that the Syrians are no longer only mildly interested by the association agreement with the European Union, the signature of which is blocked by some Member States, thus preventing its approval by the EU Council. Syria in fact is “not isolated and has ongoing relations with Turkey and other countries”, Ms de Keyser said, adding “it is only isolated with regard to us”. The MEP fears that the EU will repeat with Damascus what it did with Turkey, namely that it will adopt an attitude that, she says, supports the “hard” elements and discourages those that are in favour of closer relations with Europe. Ms de Keyser stresses the need for democratic development and respect of human rights in Syria but considers that the EU should show “encouragement” towards the most open elements of the political class and civil society in Syria. The Socialist Group stresses, moreover, in a press release, that Syria is calling for European assistance in controlling its borders. (See EUROPE 9266 on the subject of the last External Relations Council).
Turkey: Ms de Keyser supports postponement of Eurlings report
Speaking to the press, Véronique de Keyser spoke of relations with Turkey and next week's plenary debate on the Eurlings report on relations with this candidate country (see related article). She said they were asking for the vote to be postponed to avoid lashing out at a country that is playing an increasingly active and positive role in the Middle East. She said, with disapproval: “we are not helping those who are in favour of us” in Turkey.