EU and Syria close to Signing an agreement on stronger relations
Sep 04, 2009
www.sana.sy/eng/22/2009/09/04/243440.htm

Stockholm, (SANA - Syrian news agency)

European Union is close to signing an agreement with Syria on stronger
relations between the two sides, European Commissioner for External
Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Friday.

Waldner told journalists at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Stockholm
that the EU was close to reach an agreement with Syria on stronger
relations, saying, "In the near future we will get this agreement really
going, and this will give Syria positive influence in the Middle East".

She said, "It is certainly not a gift if we give that to Syria, but it is a
possibility for a contractual agreement with Syria, so I am very much in
favor and I do hope this will go on."

She also stressed that engaging with Syria was absolutely in the interest of
the EU.

Fadi Allafi