Solana renews EU ties with Syria

Landmark talks between the EU and Syria ended on Wednesday (14 March) with diplomats playing down the prospect of a rapid rapprochement between the two sides.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana visited Damascus for the first time in over two years to urge Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to play a more constructive role in Lebanon and the Middle East peace process.

According to officials, Solana’s message focused on the economic benefits Syria could receive through closer ties with the EU and a change in policy toward its neighbours.

"Syria has plans to reform from a socialist state-run economy to a capitalist one," said one diplomat, "that is a painful process anytime, if they want to continue they will need foreign investment."

The EU concluded in 2004 an Association Agreement with Syria, which would deepen political and economic ties, but the agreement has not yet entered into force.

The EU accuses Syria of undermining the Lebanese government by supporting Hezbollah and other opposition groups. In Palestine, Syria is accused of assisting hard-line elements of Hamas, a group on the EU’s list of terrorist organisations.

In recent months, Syria’s role in the Middle East has come under greater scrutiny because of fears that it has joined forces with Iran to create a group of anti-western governments in the Middle East.

Several member states, led by Germany and the UK, have advocated closer engagement as a way to alter Syrian policies.

Referring to Syria’s growing role in the region, one EU official said: "We cannot do anything without them."

Before Solana’s visit, attempts to engage with Syria at an EU level had been blocked by French President Jacques Chirac, who continues to accuse Syria of involvement in the murder of Lebanese former prime minister Rafiq Hariri, a personal friend of Chirac.

But a French diplomat said that the need for the EU to speak with one voice and the US’ decision to enter talks with Syria and Iran on the future of Iraq meant that the "time was right" for France to lift its objections.

A key test for Syria’s willingness to improve ties will be whether the stand-off between the Lebanese government and the Syrian-backed opposition ends peacefully.

The EU is also pressing Syria to take concrete measures to prove its commitment to improving ties. A decision by Syria to open an embassy in Lebanon, demarcating the border with Iraq and allowing free presidential elections in Lebanon have been mentioned as possible positive signals.

Although diplomats cautioned against expecting quick results, there is hope that Solana’s visit will capitalise on Syria’s decision to participate in US-led talks on Iraq and its desire to be seen as an equal partner at an Arab League summit in Riyadh on 28-29 March.

It is also hoped that Solana’s public support for Syrian demands that Israel return control of the Golan heights, seized during the 1967 war, will improve ties further.

Landmark talks between the EU and Syria ended on Wednesday (14 March) with diplomats playing down the prospect of a rapid rapprochement between the two sides.