Belgium ambassador:Syria for Belgium is a key country for the stability of the ME region
Syria-Belgium, Politics, 7/21/2001

" I consider that President Bashar al-Assad is representing the hope for the Syrian youths. He dedicates himself and engaged himself in two important reforms for the future of this country. In the economic and political fields." said the Belgium ambassador in Damascus Mr. Philippe Henri Arcq in a statement to Arabic News.

He explained that both Belgium and the European Union EU want to contribute to the success of these orientation taken by the Syrian chief of State.

Ambassador Arcq added that President al-Assad was recently mentioning in an interview that his main goal is the prosperity of the Syrian people.

" In our bilateral relations and also in the relations between Syria and the EU, we want to devote ourselves to this direction and we think the negotiations and signature of the Association Agreement between Syria and the EU will mean an important development of these relations, and contribution for prosperity in Syria and the beginning of a new era of our relations," the Ambassador commented, noting:" We think this Association Agreement is not only a free trade agreement, the significance is more important than that. It means the beginning of a new partnership between Syria and the EU."

He continued as saying:" I attach also great importance to the fact that President Bashar al-Assad wants to develop a dialogue between civilizations and cultures." In this respect the ambassador noted the importance to understand each other. The difference in cultures and civilizations, of religions is a challenge. " But we have to surmount the fears of others, to build something together and to create bridges of understanding among peoples," he noted.

On bilateral relations between Syria and Belgium, ambassador Arcq said that a big improvement in bilateral political relations between Syria and Belgium starting by the visit of the Belgium foreign minister and deputy premier Louis Michael to Syria few weeks ago. The ambassador explained that this visit was in a frame of a tour in the ME and in preparation for the Belgium Presidency of the EU started in July 1st.

Ambassador Arcq added that during this visit minister Michael invited President al-Assad for visiting Belgium and the visit will take place within this six coming months. He explained that the visit will be coordinated with the Commission of the EU because President al-Assad was also invited to Brussels by Romano Prodi during his visit to Damascus in the beginning of this year.

On the importance of such a visit, the ambassador said:" We think that this visit will be an occasion for the development of our relations with Syria and the relations between Syria and the EU." He continued that the visit of minister Michael was an occasion to listen to the views of Syria on regional situations, noting " Syria for Belgium is a key country for the stability of the ME region. We consider it essential to go ahead with concentration with the Syrian authorities on regional situations." On the position of the EU towards peace in the ME, ambassador said that Syria has made the strategic choice for peace, what we considered the most important. He explained that Belgium and the EU consider with Syria the same views that just and comprehensive peace for the region can only be achieved in due respect of the international legitimacy. What means the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, and the Madrid's conference terms of reference, especially the land for peace formula.

Describing the situation in the ME, the ambassador said that for the moment the situation is very tense in the region, and we are very much preoccupied with the evolution in the region. " We think as a European Union and as Belgium that every thing must be made to diminish and finally repress the violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians. But this goal can only be reached if we will be able to give the hopes to all parties that their rights will be recognized.

On the bilateral economic and cultural relations, the ambassador said we can be satisfied with the evolution of these relations. He explained that in 2000 imports from Syria to Belgium and exports from Belgium to Syria increased by 65% both ways ( The imports from Syria to Belgium was at a value of USD 22 million and exports from Belgium to Syria at USD 136 million.) He detailed that imports from Syria to Belgium are mainly textile products and cotton while the exports from Belgium to Syria are mainly food, technical products, machinery etc. He outlined:" we intend during the next few months to negotiate a bilateral agreement on protection and promotion of investment. It could be finalized by the end of the year. The ambassador said that Belgium is more present in the cultural sector. He indicated that several Belgium archeologists are working year after year in Syria. He said that Belgium will be also present at the Aleppo's 5th international photograph exhibition which will be held on September 15 and a similar exhibition in Damascus to be held on October 6 ? 18.

He added that Belgium is also present in Syria in the field of technology. He explained that a " Cyclotron" was installed in Yafour, near Damascus by the Belgium IBA company and this will be operational within a few weeks and will give the possibility for Syrian doctors to increase the possibility of diagnosis of diseases relating to heart, kidney and others. He hinted that other discussions are going ahead between the university of Mons in Belgium and the University of Damascus and the Syrian ministry of Higher Education to develop in Syria a center of excellence in communications and technology.

On the position of the Belgium government to suing the Israeli prime minister before Belgium courts over Sabra and Shatilla massacres, ambassador Philippe Henri Arcq noted that in Belgium there is a law of 1993 and the law of 1999 which give the Belgium judiciary the universal competence to judge war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. He added " Based on these two laws, some Palestinians with Lebanese nationalities have asked the judiciary to inquire about Sabra and Shatilla case to find out who is responsible. For the moment there is a phase of inquiry and the judge could gather the element to introduce the case before the judiciary. To this effect, the ambassador explained that the Belgium Foreign Affairs minister Louis Michael when asked about this matter he said that the executive body in Belgium will not interfere with the judiciary system, and this is according to the constitution.

He added that there is now a reflection in Belgium to find a solution to avoid some aspect of this law as being an embarrassment for the Belgium diplomacy. He said that the Belgium parliament may amend this law in order to give the possibility to conduct without embarrassing the Belgium diplomacy.

Ambassador Philippe Henri Arcq concluded as saying that Belgium and Syria have many things in common. Their population are made of different cultures, groups and both have tried to manage and create understanding between all these peoples. " And I do think this is a good background to continue our bilateral relations and to build on them."

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad receives Belgian FM, US medical team   (4/26/2001)
  Belgian foreign minister arrives in Damascus   (4/25/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search