EUROPEAN ROLE

“Syria has reached an understanding to establish the association agreement once the obstacles to it have been bypassed, especially those regarding weapons of mass destruction.  where we reached a joint formula that goes parallel to our stance concerning non-proliferation of those weapons as part of our joint aim in turning the whole Middle East region into an area free of WMD.”

 From HE’s Speech to the Syrian Expatriates  Conference,  (October 9, 2004)

 “We think that the formula which we agreed on has been circulated to the EU member states, .and we are waiting for the approval from those states unless sudden changes in the EU has occurred as what happened with us in the same negotiations at the beginning of the year.”

 From HE’s Speech to the Syrian Expatriates  Conference,  (October 9, 2004)

"Syria has always called for such a role- European role- ;but it is very clear in practice that Europe has no effective tools. Some attribute the affair to the economic reasons and others to political causes. But I say there is , in addition to both attributions, another cause which is the political will. The European role is marketing the American proposals, especially in the ME peace process. Any initiative ,if we want to call it a European one should be derivative from European vision

From HE’s Interview with Al Jazeera, (May 3, 2004)

“The Syrian-European partnership within the circumstances of the whole world was made within the great blocs taking place in the world. It, like any other options, includes negative and positive aspects. Its negative aspects might be more than its positive aspects in the short run. It may not bring positive aspects except through the medium and long run. Engagement into the European partnership is an old decision, and reasons of delay are technical and not political. Taking a decision in this respect, has no relation with the Syrian-American bilateral relationship. It is an independent subject. I have told the Europeans that if partnerships were not based on appropriate base, we would exchange problems in stead of goods. I said, during my meeting with Mr. Romano Prodi before September 11, that if you don't solve the region's political and economic problems, the problems will move to you intensively in a short period.”

 From HE’s Interview with Al-Hayat Daily , (November 7, 2003)

 “The European countries whether they are big or small can play a role in the world through bilateral relations or through the European Union and so the harmonious stances of the EU countries intensify the effectiveness of the European stances which is imperative because the world can not let one country think on behalf of all.” “The European countries should not be divided by their stances although the variety of opinions is acceptable and the interaction between Europe and the Middle East has given the European countries an important and positive role to play in the world.”

 From HE’s Interview with the Austrian The Standard Daily , (April 3, 2003)

“I say that there was a big problem at one point in the world particularly between East and West. The West has devoted all the media and all technological means in order to define the East but it didn’t use all these resources in order to get to know the East as it is. And so the East knew a lot about the West but the opposite is not true. The first message I carry with me is to try and introduce the East to the West and to introduce Arab issues as they really are and not just to Italy because Italy is a close country that probably knows the East better than any other European country. But it is an important entrance to Europe also. Without this accurate understanding of the West to the East, we can’t really speak about a healthy role that Europe can play. This takes us to the second part of the question: Can Europe with the US play the role? I think they can, certainly they can. But this is subject first to the desire of these parties and to their ability of those entrusted with this role, and second it is also dependent on their accurate knowledge of the situation. And third, it is subject to the desire of the conflicting parties in this role and their trust in the cosponsors. I can say in the name of all the Arab parties, that there is a trust in the European Union, they trust the European Union. And it is clear for everyone that Israel rejects the European role. The reason is that the European stand is an objective one, the fact that Israel doesn't like. What is clear until now is that the United States doesn't desire Europe to play a role that is expressive of a European independent stand and of a European identity. Until now the role that had been given to Europe by the United States is to market American ideas, but has not yet been allowed to play a role of its own making. But even the American Administration doesn't have a clear vision of how to conduct this peace process. Thereof I can’t see that the circumstances are prepared for this role to be played unless Europe wants to play this role in an independent fashion, and this would have its own prerequisites.”

From HE’s Interview with the Italian Corriere Della Sera, (February 14, 2002)

“Europe's basic role is embodied in pressuring the side which refuses UN Security Council resolutions and the international legitimacy resolutions.”

  From HE’s Press Conference with the Spanish Premier,  (May 3, 2001)