Santer calls for diplomatic solution to Iraqi crisis
Lebanon, Politics, 2/14/1998

Visiting EU representative Jacques Santer on Friday joined Lebanese officials in calling for a diplomatic solution to the Iraqi crisis. "The crisis with Iraq should be solved through diplomatic and peaceful means," Santer said after talks with Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz.

He spoke during the second day of his visit to Beirut, on the last leg of a tour that took him to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria and the Palestinian territories.

During the visit, Santer discussed with Lebanese officials the Euro-Mediterranean partnership agreement and bilateral relations between Lebanon and the European Union.

The president of the European Commission said there were few "technical" difficulties hampering the signing of the agreement, adding that they were not serious and could be readily solved. "There are no basic or ideological disagreements in what concerns economic relations between Lebanon and the European Union," Santer said.

"Lebanon has an open economy and the agreement that was signed with Syria is a reflection of this system," he added.

He was referring to an agreement signed last week in which Lebanon and Syria agreed to gruadually scrap customs duties on national products.

Santer later met with Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and House Speaker Nabih Berri. He also inaugurated a Pan-Mediterranean conference in Beirut on alternative energy sources.

Before leaving Beirut Saturday, Santer visited Druze leader and Minister of the Displaced Walid Jumblatt and discussed the issue of war-displaced people during the civil war years.

Previous Stories:
  Santer winds down Mideast tour in Beirut   (2/13/1998)
  European chief representative in Beirut   (2/12/1998)
  EU plans $160 aid package to Lebanon   (2/11/1998)

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