Syria-EU Association Agreement- Signing Brussels 19-10-2004 ( SANA-Official Syrian News Agency)- A ceremony on the occasion of signing in initials on the Association Agreement between Syria Arab Republic and the European Union was held Tuesday at Brussels-based EU Commission in presence of Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and the EU Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Paten.

The Agreement was signed from the Syrian side by Dr. Abdullah Dardari, Chairman of the State Planning Board and from the European side by Mr. Christian Leffler, Director General of the Middle East and the Mediterranean Department at the European Commission.

Messrs Shara and Leffler exchanged cordial speeches on this occasion. Mr. Shara voiced pleasure over this event and expressed high appreciation of the great efforts exerted by the Syrian and European negotiators to reach this important document which consists of 1,450 pages.

Mr. Shara added that the content of this Agreement reflects joint willingness for cooperation between Syria and the EU in various fields, particularly political, economic, cultural and security areas. He said the historical and civilization framework in which our peoples flourished between the two banks of the Mediterranean will be very helpful to make this Association a success.

The Foreign Minister said Syria has persistently worked to see an active European vision in our region that helps finding just solutions to the problems which we face, on top of which, is ending Israel's occupation and stopping its continued aggression as well as establishing peace for all peoples of the regions, and opening prospects before them to live in dignity, freedom and prosperity.

Mr. Shara added that "the development and terrorism can't meet". terrorism doesn't exist without reasons.. fighting this phenomena requires elimination of its reasons and tackling its roots. Syria has recognized the dangers of this phenomena since its earlier call for convening an international conference on terrorism in 1986".

He added that "serious working and joint efforts to turn the Middle East into an area free of all weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological will be a great source of relief for our region in general. The Syria-EU Association Agreement stressed on this point.. Syria reassures readiness to cooperate with the EU and the region's countries to achieve this goal".

The Foreign Minister went on saying that " Syria's signing on the Association Agreement now aims at establishing cooperation between the Syrian and the European parties on the basis of constructive dialogue.. Syria has a real interest in this cooperation and implementation of this agreement and the issuing of laws and decrees helpful in this regard".

He added that "this agreement constitutes a suitable and vital mechanism to help in the program of development and modernization process in Syria. It also constitutes a safe way to transfer technology and settle it in our country away from unjustified suspensions and accusations. This agreement will encourage agriculture and industrial sectors in Syria to export their high-quality products to promising European markets and vice versa. it is also a modest but important contribution in encouraging the dialogue among civilizations and prevent their clash. Especially under this challenge- bearing stage.

Mr. Shara concluded his speech by saying that "Syria's President, government and people reassure keenness and commitment to work to make the process of cooperation with the EU a success.. We reassure serious seeking to eliminate obstacles and difficulties which obstruct this agreement out of our conviction that security in the two region in inter-related as proved by development in the past and present. joint interests binding the two region are deeply rooted in history".

For his part, Mr. Paten expressed pleasure over signing the Syria-EU Association following long and difficult negotiations, saying the Agreement will pose the framework for future European relations with Syria.

He added that with the achievement of this Agreement the European-Mediterranean network for developing relations on the basis of cooperation and respect has been completed.

Mr. Paten said this event would help boost peace, stability and prosperity, and it will be an example to be followed in all future agreements which the EU will conclude with other countries.

Later, Messrs Shara and Paten answered questions by reporters.

Answering a question on how he estimates the Association Agreement with Syria, Mr. Paten described the Agreement as very satisfactory.

On the statement issued by UNSC today, Mr.Shara reiterated Syria's stance that the resolution is an unjustified intervention in the bilateral relations between two countries that has no disputes.

He added that understanding the nature of Syrian-Lebanese relations paves the way to our friends at the UNSC to recognize how deep are the relations between both countries.

On his assessment of the Syria-EU Agreement, Mr. Shara pointed out that this current stage is full of challenges, voicing the hope that full cooperation and dialogue between the two sides will be established.

Answering a question on the effect of the agreement on boosting the role of Europe over the issues of the region, Mr. Paten said he hopes that this agreement will help establish peace and prosperity in the region, pointing out that the European involvement in the region's issues is not new but it will deepen in future.

Later, Mr. Shara and Mr. Paten held an official round of talks during which they reviewed prospects of Syria-European relations after the implementation of the association Agreement.

Both sides asserted importance of this historical agreement in strengthening the relations between Syria and the EU. The Foreign Minister also met at the HQ of the European Council in Brussels Mr. Javier Solana, the Higher representative of the Foreign Policy and Security at the EU.

Mr. Shara and Mr. Solana exchanged congratulations over the signing of the Association, emphasizing the importance of this event in advancing the process of cooperation between Syria and the EU.

Mazen/ A. F. Zahara [www.sana.org/english/headlines/19%2010/syria3.htm ]

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