92002E1565

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1565/02

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(3 June 2002)

Subject: Syria

In his answer to Question P-0634/02(1), Mr Patten states, among other things, that it is the Commission's firm belief that a dialogue on human rights will be more effective when conducted in the framework of a binding Association Agreement. He also states the following: a future European Union-Syria Association Agreement will refer to human rights as an essential element in European Union-Syrian relations and it will be designed to foster common objectives expressed in the Barcelona Declaration(2), such as developing the rule of law and democracy, respect for human rights, free trade and sustainable development. The Commission will stress issues of reform in the MEDA cooperation programme.

Does the Commission consider that it can remain optimistic about the necessary democratisation of Syria in the light of what has emerged, following the accident which occurred on 24 March 2002 in Homs, regarding the close technical and military cooperation between the Syrian and Iraqi governments in building missiles with ranges of more than 500 km?

More generally, is the Commission not concerned at the fact that a country which is now a member of the UN Security Council, thanks notably to the key support provided by the EU and its Member States, can violate the UN resolutions on Iraq in such a shameless manner?

Lastly, will the Commission indicate how far it intends to go in its optimistic and positive policy vis-à-vis regimes which not only treat their own people in a totalitarian and repressive manner, but also constitute such an obvious threat to international security and stability that they appear at the top of the black lists of all international organisations?

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002, p. 69.

(2) Adopted at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference (27 and 28 November 1995).

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 July 2002)

The Commission is aware of press reports regarding an explosion at the end of April 2002, in a Syrian arms factory located near Homs. The same press reports quote Western intelligence services stating that the weapons complex in question was not a missile facility.

The Commission would like to suggest that the question regarding Syria's membership in the Security Council be redirected to the Council.

The Commission reiterates that a dialogue on human rights is an effective tool to work for the implementation of the objectives laid down in the Barcelona Declaration (adopted on 27 and 28 November 1995). In this respect the Commission would like to refer to the latest round of association negotiations with Syria where substantial progress was made on the political chapter; in that context, the Commission took the opportunity of again clarifying the Union's approach to human rights issues and the central role they play in the Association Agreement.