Dutch Foreign Minister EU reviews special clause on weapons of mass destruction on EU- Syria AA
Syria-Netherlands, Politics, 4/2/2004

Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot on Thursday stressed that the European Union is reviewing the special clause relating to the weapons of Mass destruction in the Syrian- European Association agreement with the aim to finding out means to eliminate the difference between the European states and Syria.

Bot met with the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and said after the meeting that Holland had urged Syria to be open in this regard and this is in light of the importance of the Association agreement which helps strengthening the relation between Europe and Syria. He expressed his confidence that an "understanding" will be made by the ultimate end. He said replying to a question " we are convinced we will be able to find an understanding which is satisfactory for the two sides. But this means we have to work in a constructive way."

He indicated that the European Union is reviewing the controversial clause. He said that " at the official level, we are trying to review this clause and we do hope to do that shortly. we do appreciate the importance of this agreement for us and for your country and therefore you have to be confident we will accelerate the work as much as possible." He said that limiting this clause to Syria stems from the fact that it is the last Mediterranean country to sign the Association Agreement. The Dutch FM also stressed the necessity of reaching a Syrian-European partnership Association due to its important role in enhancing and strengthening the bilateral relations in all domains.

In statements to reporters, Bot expressed his confidence that both sides will reach an agreement and sign the European-Syrian Partnership Association as soon as possible. He added that Europe realizes the importance of the association for both Syria and Europe.

Previous Stories:
  Dutch parliamentary delegation in Damascus   (10/29/1999)
  Syrian - Dutch relations highlighted   (8/27/1999)

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