Germany seeks to improve EU’s ties with Syria

The EU should offer Syria political and trade benefits in return for promises to play a more positive role in the Middle East, according to proposals being drawn up by the German presidency.

When Germany takes over the EU’s rotating presidency on 1 January it will attempt to entice Syria back into the international mainstream, with offers of financial aid and the adoption of an EU-Syria association agreement that has been agreed but never implemented.

Many EU member states accuse Syria of interference in Lebanon and Iraq and of supporting Hamas and Hizbullah militants.

There is also growing concern that Iran and Syria are forming an anti-western front in the Middle East. One EU diplomat working on the region said there was an "urgent need" to stop co-operation between Iran and Syria, particularly in their support for Hizbullah and Hamas.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is spearheading the efforts to counter the formation of an Iran-Syria alliance. In recent weeks he has travelled to the Syrian capital Damascus, as well as Washington and Moscow, to lay the groundwork for a wider diplomatic effort to embrace Syria.

According to one German diplomat, Syria could play a more constructive role in the region, including helping create a Palestinian national unity government, which the EU hopes would restart the peace process.

Many members of the ruling Hamas government who reject the preconditions for establishing a coalition government - particularly calls to recognise Israel - are Damascus-based. "The Syrians could exert some influence there," said the diplomat.

But Steinmeier is likely to face stiff opposition when EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels on 22 January to discuss engagement with Syria.

"The French are basically totally against this," said one EU diplomat.

The French government has been adamant that Syria must take steps to show that it is committed to playing a more positive role in Lebanon, before the EU makes any firm commitments.

According to French officials, Syria must first comply with United Nations resolutions calling for an end to its interference in Lebanon and co-operate with the investigations into the murders of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and Industry Minister Pierre Amine Gemayel.

Syria is suspected of being behind both assassinations, as well as ongoing street protests in Beirut calling for the Lebanese government to resign.

But some diplomats, while supporting France’s aims, voiced concern that French policy was being determined by President Jacques Chirac’s friendship with the Hariri family.

Germany can expect some backing for its efforts to improve relations with Syria from Spain and the UK.

The UK had previously pursued a tough line on Syria but diplomats say the position has changed as the voices in Washington calling for engagement with Iran and Syria have increased in volume.

Early in December, the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair sent Nigel Sheinwald, his senior foreign policy adviser, to meet Syrian officials, a move interpreted by many as a hint that Blair may be willing to back fresh diplomatic efforts.

The EU should offer Syria political and trade benefits in return for promises to play a more positive role in the Middle East, according to proposals being drawn up by the German presidency.