Al-Assad discussed with Lamy relations between Syria, EU
Syria-European Union, Politics, 2/8/2002

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received the EU commissioner for Trade Pascal Lamy and members of the accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by the Syrian minister of the economy and foreign trade Ghassan al-Rifai and the EU head of mission in Damascus Marc Pierini.

Discussions dealt with relations between Syria and the European Union and steps that help to finalize the Association Agreement between Syria and the European Union as well as means to eliminate obstacles impeding the finalizing of this partnership, taking into account the currently prevailing conditions because of the current policy pursued by the Israeli government.

In this regard, President al-Assad explained that the most important issue is that the partnership process to be successful and to be a partnership of development in all areas not only an economic partnership.

The president stressed the importance of timing to this effect, noting that concluding a partnership needs to be quickly, but not at the expense of quality, which means that the objective is to reach a partnership that serves the interests of Syria and the European Union.

Lamy expressed the readiness of the European Union to deal with obstacles in an agreement with the Syrian side in order to serve the interests of the two sides to this effect.

He stressed the full support of the EU to the process of development and modernization in Syria.

Meantime, Syria's prime Minister Dr. Muhammad Mustafa Miro on Thursday in Damascus met with the EU trade commissioner Pascal lamy and members of the accompanying delegation.

Discussions dealt with means of strengthening and developing as well as revitalizing existing cooperation relations between Syria and the European Union in all fields especially in the trade and economic, trade and investment areas as well as accelerating the process of partnership between Syria and Europe due the key historical and cultural ties linking Syria and the European Union.

The prime minister noted the importance of bilateral co-operation between the two sides in the areas of transport, transferring of technology and renewing of the infrastructure of old cities in Syria, consolidating scientific and cultural co-operation, reviving architectural heritage and re-structuring the industrial sector in Syria in support of the march of development and modernization in Syria led by President Bashar al-Assad through embarking on the program of economic and administrative reforms and the overall comprehensive developmental process.

Lamy underlined the importance of achieving the EU- Syria Association Agreement thanks to the key role played by Syria in the ME region.

Previous Stories:
  EIB loan for health project in Syria at 100 million EUR   (2/4/2002)
  Al-Assad confers with EIB delegation   (2/4/2002)
  European official highlights Syria's cooperation   (1/30/2002)
  Al-Assad confers with Spanish foreign minister   (1/18/2002)
  Syrian FM reviews developments with Moratinos   (12/24/2001)
  The 6th round of negotiations for a Euro-Syrian Partnership   (4/26/2001)

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