EU go-ahead for Syria deal

Top EU officials have agreed a deal that could break the deadlock over a stalled trade and political pact with Syria but puts Europe at odds with Washington.

A meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday approved a text on the fight against weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that had put the trade agreement with Damascus on the backburner for several months.

A timetable has still to be decided for when to finally sign off the pact, and the EU’s plan has yet to be approved by the Syrian side.

But the move widens a trans-Atlantic policy divide over how to conduct diplomatic relations with Damascus.

The EU’s policy of constructive engagement flies in the face of Washington’s hardline approach which just two weeks ago imposed a ban on all US exports to Syria other than food and medicine.

The ban includes U.S. arms-related exports and sales; controls on dual-use items; and prohibitions on economic assistance.
 
The US has accused Damascus of harbouring terrorists and pursuing a nuclear weapons programme.

"We continue to have serious concerns about Syrian behavior in a number of areas, including support for groups involved in terror and the security of the Syria-Iraq border," said US government spokesman Ed Kemp.

"We have shared our concerns with the highest levels of the Syrian government as well as our partners in the European Union."

Despite US opposition, the EU wants to bring Syria fully into an existing trade bloc with Mediterranean rim nations in exchange for efforts to combat terrorism and speed up economic reform.

The UK, Germany and the Netherlands had put the brakes on the agreement negotiated by the European Commission and Syria in December over a demand that Damascus sign up to firmer pledges to combat WMD. 

But a new compromise prepared by the Irish EU presidency has proved to be acceptable to all national capitals.

The text will now be transferred to the European Commission, which will in turn present it to the Syrian authorities.

Sources say that crucial changes to the text include a reference to “state and non-state actors” which would put further obligations on the Syrians to keep a tighter rein on terrorists operating with the country’s borders.

A reference to Damascus “meeting its full existing obligations” under international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, also helped to swing opponents opinions.

Clearer language on making the Middle East a nuclear weapon free zone has also been drafted.

The crucial test now remains to clinch Syria’s approval.

Damascus has been reluctant to cave in to the EU’s demands for tougher terms on nuclear weapons when it’s arch-enemy Israel does not have to meet the same obligations.

The deal with Syria would mark the first time the EU has imposed a conditionality clause on WMD in a trade accord with a non-EU country.
The diplomatic wrangling over the text has reflected the belief of national capitals that the accord will set an important precedent, with too much flexibility undermining the credibility of future non-proliferation clauses.

The conclusion of the trade and aid deal with Syria would complete a series of similar agreements with Mediterranean nations under the EU’s ‘Barcelona’ process – the only forum outside of the UN where Syria sits at the table with Israel. 

 

• Previous article
• Next article