Brussels, 27/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has just proposed that the Council begin negotiations as soon as possible with Libya for a global framework agreement on human rights, trade, energy, immigration, education and the environment. Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner indicated that “we will talk about everything”. The only objectives clearly expressed, at least publicly, include the hope that a free trade agreement can be concluded.
On Wednesday, the Commission approved the draft mandate authorising these discussions. The text was then sent to member states but remains confidential. It seals series of exploratory talks begun in 2004 with Libya (a Mediterranean country which has such a unique Arab and African character.) An ad hoc agreement is also being proposed but it has not yet been possible to include it in the Mediterranean agreement - although this prospect has not been ruled out. Its specific character stems from the fact that it is eligible for contractual EU policy as a former colony of a member state (Italy). However, Tripoli has shown little enthusiasm until now and its conduct has often been erratic It needed to be able to escape from a long period of ostracism, following the amicably (and financially) settled terrorist type acts (UTA, Pan Am, attack against a discotheque used by Americans in Berlin) and it needed to end certain practices condemned by the international community in Africa and throughout the world. The final episode was the case of the Bulgarian medical team.
Negotiations for the agreement should begin as soon as the “green light” is obtained from member states, and it will not have a time limit imposed on it. Ferrero-Waldner said that the period of negotiations depends on Libya's “political will”. Experiences of not managing to conclude a fisheries agreement, or to obtain Euro-Libyan cooperation to contain immigration flows from sub-Saharan Africa, mean that precise forecasts cannot be made. Without counting the sudden changes of mind by the Libyan “guide”, the commissioner dismissed the question of whether “Libya had got what it wanted over recent years”. Ferrero-Waldner did, however, demonstrate her determination and belief in the possibility of bringing Libya back to international normality. She said from the outset that she was “extremely delighted” with such a result after almost four years of efforts and informal talks with Tripoli.
The proposed offer aims to establish political dialogue, including that on human rights, despite the fact that Libya is relatively far from the accepted threshold demanded from other countries in the region. The commissioner said that “there is no other alternative other than not having any agreement at all”. This political dialogue will also focus on other political subjects, particularly Africa. The offer also includes the promise of support for economic and social reforms and cooperation in a variety of fields (health, education, immigration, environment, culture etc). The point to be remembered is that the offer is to conclude a free trade agreement, even if most external trade is made up of oil products that already have free access to European markets. The Commission, above all, appears to be taking into account the country's high income potential and the fact that it hopes to join the WTO.
There is one detail missing from this announcement - the fact that Libya is already an observer in the Barcelona process and is logically expected to join it. The commissioner affirmed that she did not want to “link closely” negotiations with Tripoli on this accession, which depends on Libya's agreeing to the acquis in the Euro-Mediterranean process. Another source averred that “if Libya wants to conclude an agreement, it will have implicitly accomplished a step down this road”. (F.B.)