European Union commends EU-Syria finalizing Association Agreement

The European Union on Wednesday welcomed the Syrian-European success in achieving the partnership negotiations between them, hoping to reach a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement before the end of the year.

In a statement to press, spokesman for the Executive European Commission Diego De Ojeda underlined that both sides succeeded during the negotiations held in Damascus Tuesday in reaching an understanding on all remaining issues in the negotiations for a Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

"We have to consult with all member states at the European Union on signing the agreement as soon as possible, he added.

De Ojeda described the understanding as "good news politically and commercially," asserting the importance of this agreement to the EU because it represents a step towards the establishment of a free trade zone in the Mediterranean basin by 2010.

The 12th and the last round of the partnership negotiations that began seven years ago after Barcelona's declaration for the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, was concluded in Damascus Tuesday.