EU-Syria: obstruction sequence
Negotiations on the EU-Syria Association Agreement were concluded in October 2004, but the agreement has yet to be ratified. Nobody seems to know when this will happen.
Roger Melki, economist
After more than 6 years of painful negotiations, Syria is the last Mediterranean country to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union. Normally, this agreement can no longer be modified by any of the parties. No supranational or national European authority could call into question the clauses of the convention during its phase of ratification, neither totally or partially. On the other hand, important delays could be observed before the implementation of all the agreement clauses.
One ton of paper
One of the main delay factors is linked to the size of the text adopted by the two parties: more than 1,500 pages. This handicap is the outcome of the Syrian authorities’ will to include a long list of tariffs and customs regulations in the agreement. By definition, the process of examining a document of such a scope by various authorities is long and fastidious, since political conditions for approbation come into play. That problem is amplified by the complexity of translation insofar as the agreement is to be translated in more than 20 European languages. The national authorities of the 27 countries of the European Union will have to approve the texts. Afterwards, it must be ratified by the Council of Europe, then by the European Parliament. Finally, the parliaments of the 27 E.U. countries are called to ratify the agreement before it goes into effect.
Declining optimism
The arrival of Syrian president Bashar El Assad to power in 2000 and the formation of a team dedicated to lead negotiations with Europe constituted a source of hope for a quick adoption of the final text. But optimism was short-lived, and the new minds in power were shocked to see the bitter reality in the field, particularly the lasting presence of former guards.
According to Brussels, increasing the pressure on Syria is useless. Instead, it might be more beneficial to avoid penalizing the country and reducing the Euro-Syrian cooperation to its simplest political expression. In fact, the agreement includes many tempting clauses for Damascus. By denying those advantages to Syrian deciders, we take the risk of turning them against Europe. Conversely, if support promises were presented as accompanying measures, Syrian authorities would be encouraged to yield some ground.
On the other hand, bringing together Syria and Europe would facilitate the introduction of internal reforms and allow Damascus to redefine its external relations, particularly with Lebanon, on a healthy basis. The cooperation with Europe will necessarily be a catalyst for pushing forward into positive relationships with South Mediterranean countries.
(Excerpts from Cahiers Euromed, 2005)
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What does the opposition think? According to the Syrian opposition, Europe is making a mistake by counting on one renewal movement inside the Baath party to ensure the country’s political and economic restructuring. Five years after the arrival of Bachar el-Assad to power, the team of reformers is dispersed and the Syrian regime is not suggesting but timid reforms, despite growing international pressure and despite the setbacks following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and withdrawal from Lebanon. This assessment does not prevent Syrian opposition leaders from advocating quick implementation of the Association Agreement with Europe. To them, this cooperation could reinforce Syria’s potential development. Thus, without the help of civil society and the renewal of political leadership, it is quite impossible for Syria to engage in a strategic partnership or an ambitious neighborhood policy. |
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I would like to be brief and thank Europa Jaratona program for its achievments in Jordan.
On: E-TVET reform (Jordan)
It is good to hear that there is someone who really cares about our historical monuments. While reading the article, I was hoping to find so many Tunisian names to make sure that, also, in our country there are people who are hell-bent on preserving what is left of a glorious history. Tunisia, thanks to its location, welcomed many civilizations whose leaders built huge and glorious buildings. Not only in cities near the shores, but also in the far west cities like Sbitla, Kasserin...
I believe that in order to save the surviving monuments, there should be a campaign to make Tunisians aware of the significance of such a loss if those buildings become ruins.
On: Initiatives to preserve Tunisian architecture
I have read this article with cautious and i was not happy of the approaches being written due i guess to lack of real understanding of current environmental issues we are facing. The problem of pollution will not be tackled only through fundings bec most of the money used is not appropriately used and if ever used we seek the traditional methods the old fashion way. We need to look at alternatives , less costs , better and more sustainable output. Waste problems are derived from mass consumerism and lack of understanding of what our lives should mean to us as far as human values and choices we should take in life. Building waste water treatment is needed but what is more needed is eduation and awereness and return to ethics and values. We can keep dumping money on projects but who would assure me that our resources are being well taken care of and not depleted in a fast way? Where is the concept of sustainibility?
On: Mediterranean pollution “hot spots” under control by 2020?
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