Santer tours Middle East to stress region’s importance to EU

Date: 29/01/1998

FACED with a flagging Euro-Mediterranean partnership, European Commission President Jacques Santer will make his first official visit to the Middle East next week.

During a ten-day tour, he will travel to Syria, Jordan, Israel, the Gaza Strip and Lebanon for discussions with government and opposition leaders.

At a time when the US seems more focused on presidential affairs than on peace in Israel, EU officials hope the trip will be an important show of support to a region the Union is often criticised for ignoring.

"This trip is a clear sign of our interest in the Mediterranean region, and should show the importance the Commission attaches to peace in the Middle East," said a Commission spokesman.

However, a question mark still hangs over Europe's ability to play a more active role in the peace process, despite the growing clamour for it to do so from many Arab countries.

"We are looking for a more effective role for the EU in the Middle East," said Hani Habeeb, Syria's ambassador to the Union. "Europe is very important. It is capable, and it has the political and economic means to make a difference."

Most European governments are, however, very wary of becoming involved in a region with a high potential for political conflict.

Israel also appears unwilling to countenance a closer EU involvement, as shown by its angry reaction earlier this month to Mediterranean Commissioner Manuel Marín's proposal for "more active participation".

As a result, Santer is likely to tread carefully when the subject of the Oslo process, designed to bring an end to regional conflict, is broached, although he will aim to give a strong political push to the Union's painfully slow trade negotiations with Lebanon and Egypt.

There are now hopes that a deal could be struck with Cairo by the end of the UK presidency on 30 June, even though progress has been stalled over access for Egyptian farm produce to the EU.

A deal with Lebanon is also close to completion, but it is unlikely to be signed for some time because of diminishing enthusiasm in Beirut, according to Brussels officials.

Meanwhile, trade talks with Syria are expected to start shortly. "We may face some difficulties, but with assistance we will be able to transform the Syrian economy and reach an agreement," said Habeeb.