Visit of EC President Romano Prodi to the Arab Mashrek states boosts Barcelona process

The President of the European Commission EC Mr. Romano Prodi will visit Jordan ( 7-8 February 2001), Lebanon ( 8-9 February) and Syria ( 9-10).

The aim of the visit is to give fresh impetus to relations with these countries, revitalize the Euro- Mediterranean partnership.

At a time when the EU is preparing for a fresh round of eastward and southward enlargement, Mr. Prodi's Mashrek trip is part of a concerted drive to strengthen ties with the EU- Southern Mediterranean neighbors, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria are important players in efforts to inject fresh impetus into the Barcelona Process. Thanks to a shared heritage of the EU political, economic and cultural ties with these countries are particularly close.

President Prodi will express support for economic modernization and structural reforms designed to attract EU investment and create jobs within a competitive economy. He is also expected to give Commission backing to greater South- South regional integration and co-operation at the sub- regional level, in the expectation that opening up to neighboring economies will be a step in the direction of integration into the world economy.

President Prodi will also stress the importance of closer consultation with the EU partners and will call for an extension of the political dialogue to cover the rule of law, human rights and democracy.

In addition, President Prodi will reaffirm the EU's continuing and solid support to the Middle East peace process.

At bilateral level the EC President will take note of political, economic and social achievements in Jordan, EU- Jordan relations and Jordan's overall role in Euro-Med partnership being highly appreciated.

In Lebanon, he will welcome the resumption of negotiations of the Association Agreement and the commitment to conclude these negotiations by mid-year. He will encourage Lebanon's efforts to economic reforms and to assure its full sovereignty in the country. While underlining Syria's importance for Europe, he will welcome the beginning of the economic reform, the modernization process and the gradual opening up of the country which will hopefully lead to an early conclusion of a EU- Syria Association Agreement.