Euro-mission chief: Syria has self-sustaining economy, needs modernization
The chief of the European Union's mission in Damascus said Syria is one of the 12 Mediterranean partners of the European Union. The mission is associated with regional cooperation of the Barcelona process and in all matters of common interest.
In a statement to ArabicNews.com the head of the delegation of European Commission in Damascus, Alan Waddams, said one key element in the association agreements is to have free trade between Syria and the EU, within twelve years after signing the agreement in order to enable Syria to adjust to be able to compete with Europe. He further noted that the objectives of such agreements are to develop and provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue, allowing the development of closer political and economic relations between the two sides.
He indicated that one of the areas to be discussed within the context of the association agreement is economic modernization because the states involved in the association agreement need fairly modern economic systems for banking, exchange rates, and investment alike. Waddams said, "Syria is given 12 years of transitional period to allow her to do things she must do to cope with the association agreement," adding, " I am confident that Syria wants to do so in order to protect itself from the economic crisis like that taking place in the Far East."
He stated that the next round of discussions will be in mid-October and will concentrate on tariffs and cooperation in agriculture and industry. Replying to a question on aid provided by the EU to Syria to enable it to adjust its economy; Waddams said the EU provides as much aid as it can to help Syria in areas of modernization.
"We are working in Syria on a banking program, helping industry, business sector, develop business, improve production, marketing and quality," Waddams said, "We have a program of modernism for the Ministry of Finance, to establish a business administration school in Syria to continue the aid, a project helping the municipalities of Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia and forestry projects."
He said that all these projects are designed to help Syria face the challenges of the modern world. On how partnership can be maintained between EU and Syria, Waddams suggested close linking of the Syrian economy to the EU. " It is not domination, rather integration," he stated.
Waddams said that Syria has a successful economy, "a self-sustaining economy," but cannot be isolated forever. However, "The Syrian government is negotiating well."
On whether agricultural problems between the EU and each of Lebanon and Egypt are similar to those with Syria, Waddams noted that issues pertaining to agriculture are not quite the same thing between Syria and the EU. "Syria produces hard wheat which we want to buy in Europe. Syria produces fresh fruits and olive oil which cannot have an open market in Europe. My personal view is that Syria should not look only at EU agricultural market as a solution, but rather to the Arab states, in order not to be disappointed by the constraints of agriculture in the EU," he said.
On Syria's response to the association agreement, Waddams said, "Syria is taking the partnership seriously." The Syrians, he added, spend efforts to study all the array of issues one by one. "Among Syrians, some people are enthusiastic and others are not. Hopefully all will be convinced by the end." He concluded that since he came to Damascus five years ago, increasingly warm and developing relations are linking Syria with the EU.