Global Arab Network | Syria, EU partnership agreement to be signed in 2 weeks

Translate this article to your language:

GAN Publicatins

e-Publications

Service Menu

Add Site to Favorites

Add Page to Favorites

Make Homepage

Share This Page

Syria, EU partnership agreement to be signed in 2 weeks

Sunday, 11 October 2009 14:36

A European diplomatic source said Thursday that representatives of the European Union countries had agreed to sign the EU-Syria Association Agreement at the end of the current month.

"Decision has been taken to sign the Agreement with Syria on October 26th, in Luxemburg," AFP quoted the diplomatic source as saying.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External relations said earlier that the EU is determined to sign an agreement with Syria to hold more consolidated ties between the two sides, saying that cooperation with Syria pours in the interest of the EU.

"The deal is due to be signed with Syria on October 26 in Luxembourg," said the diplomat, at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

The EU and Syria first drew up a draft pact in 2004 but it was never signed by EU nations -- with the Netherlands in particular demanding a clause allowing for its suspension in the event of proven rights abuses.

A Dutch diplomat said that once such an "emergency brake" was put in place, it would be happy to sign at the Luxembourg gathering.

According to another diplomatic source, the new treaty will help the union "develop a substantial dialogue on the human rights situation in Syria, which remains a source of concern to the EU.

"Respect for human rights constitutes one of the essential elements of the agreement," it says.

The EU seeks to develop a closer relationship to Syria, which would provide for political dialogue, mutually beneficial trade and investment relations, and cooperation on economic, social and democratic reform.

Syria is a signatory of the 1995 Barcelona Declaration. In the absence of an EU-Syria Association Agreement in force, Syria cannot benefit yet from the European Neighbourhood Policy. Technical negotiations on the agreement were concluded in October 2004. However, the EU has deemed that political circumstances were so far not right for its signature and ratification.

The relations between the EU and Syria are currently governed by a Cooperation Agreement which was signed in 1977. Priorities of our co-operation with Syria are defined in the Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme. The main aim of this co-operation is to support Syria’s domestic reform process.

EU Syria Country Strategy Paper
The Country Strategy Paper (CSP) drafted under the European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI) sets up a strategic framework for EU co-operation with Syria for the period 2007-2013. This document presents EU’s co-operation objectives and its strategic response. This strategy document was accompanied by a National Indicative Programme (NIP) for the period 2007-2010, which detailed the specific operations for the year 2007, but only outlined the operations for EC priorities for the years 2008-2010, pending the approval of the Syrian 10th Five Year Plan. Consequently this framework was completed with a revised NIP detailing the operations for the period 2008-2010.

As stipulated by the ENPI Regulation the Country Strategy Paper should be reviewed at mid-term to assess its relevance and a new National Indicative Programme for Syria, covering the period 2011 - 2013, will be drafted.

This concept note is designed as part of the consultation process which involves stakeholders such as partner countries administrations, EU Member States, International Financial Institutions, other donors and Civil Society Organisations. It purpose is to stimulate the discussion on the co-operation priorities and does not prejudge of the operations which will be finally retained in the NIP 2011-2013.

1. EU strategic objectives 2011-2013
The Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Syria approved by the European Commission on 7 March 2007 is based on Syria’s own national agenda for reform – the 10th Five-Year Plan 2005-2010 that will guide the transition from centrally planned to “social market economy” -. It identifies three priorities for action for the period 2007-2013:

·    Support for political and administrative reform,
·    Support for economic reform,
·    Support for social reform,

The Country Strategy Paper already builds upon the provisions of the draft Association Agreement-the signature of which is pending since 2004- and aims at preparing the country for a full participation in the European Neighbourhood Policy in the medium term.

EC Assistance in the period 2011-2013 will therefore remain based on the above mentioned strategic objectives. Syria is currently preparing the Plan which will succeed the current Five Year Plan. The EC will seek to address horizontal policies issues, such as climate change, in this exercise.

2. Main challenges or obstacles
In the area of administrative and political reform, technical assistance and capacity building activities have in many cases been instrumental for transferring EU knowledge and skills to better tackle the reform process and the modernisation of public services. However there remain important challenges in terms of reforming the administration, pursuing the decentralization process; strengthening the rule of law and increasing the participation of civil society and the respect of human rights.

The Syrian economy is facing serious challenges despite progress in the reform process. These concern notably the upgrading of Syrian enterprises (an EC funded programme will tackle this matter in 2010). The opening to other markets (China, FTAs with Turkey and GCC), the effects of the global financial crisis and the perspective of the entry into force of the EU Syria Association Agreement raise new challenges to Syrian industries. There are still important shortcomings in terms of competitiveness and export capacity of enterprises
The diminution of oil resources, the increasing demand and the environmental threats in Syria make it urgent to enhance energy efficiency and progress with the introduction of renewable energy.

Addressing the social effects of the economic transition and of the global crisis remains a challenge. This will be more critical in rural areas, where drought in the past two years has seriously undermined the agriculture sector, the principal source of income in these areas. To date, most of EC interventions have targeted reforms at national level and concentrated in urban areas.

Effective national coordination is crucial for the proper monitoring of assistance and with a view to increase a spirit of ownership across the board. Donors have, in the past few years, increased their interventions in Syria which adds to the relevance of increasing national coordination. It is highly advisable to strengthen government led donor’s coordination to avoid possible overlaps, if not duplication.

There is a need to strengthen Syria’s capacity to develop national and sector strategies and the ability to implement them as the country embarks on reforms in different fronts. This, together with the ongoing EC programme to support public finance reform could make it possible to use the budget support modality in Syria.

3. How can the Commission influence these?

3.1. Support for political and administrative reform
The perspective of signing the Association Agreement will open a new chapter in EU Syria relations and provide incentives to further advance bilateral cooperation, also in areas where EC assistance have been so far limited such as political reforms.

The Commission will continue support for reforms helping the opening and modernisation of the Syrian economy and society. The design of a programme to support the implementation of the Agreement, will serve as a catalyst to reach out to the ministries which so far have not formed part of EC cooperation. Moreover such a programme will allow the establishment of a Programme Administration Office, tasked with the role of inter-ministerial coordination and interface with the EC. When and where required, the EC will provide the necessary guidance and assistance to this office.

The progressive use of demand driven and flexible instruments for institutional building and legal approximation (such as Twinning and TAIEX) will help address the shortcomings in terms of reforms conception and implementation.

The European Commission, through its Delegation, will continue stimulating interaction with Member States and international donors.

3.2. Support for economic reform
A number of EC operations to improve the business environment, support small and medium sized enterprises and upgrade companies are underway or planned in the near future. The EC could sustain these efforts, focusing on the competitiveness of Syrian enterprises and enlarging the scope of support to reach out to other or new sectors of the economy.

Interventions in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency could have beneficial effects both in economic, environmental and social terms, notably in a context of rising prices, policies to decrease subsidies and the threats posed by climate change.

3.3. Support for social reform
To date the EC has financed a number of programmes in the areas of health, education and vocational training to better match labor market demand with supply.

Given the large amounts of assistance provided and the fact that programmes in the areas of education, vocational training, social protection and health will continue to run until 2012 or 2013, the focus in the next period could be shifted to address the problems of regional disparities and poverty, through targeted and integrated interventions in the poorest and rural areas.

4. Possible priorities for interventions during 2011-2013
Pending the final decision on the financial allocations, the preparation of 2011- 2013 NIP will be made on the assumption that the yearly EC allocation for Syria will be equal or higher to the current yearly average of EUR 32.5 million.

On the basis of discussions held with the authorities, the donor’s community, civil society and Members States, the areas of intervention for 2011-2013 could be selected within the following priorities:

4.1 Support for political and administrative reform
In the period 2007-2010, 23% of the bilateral envelope was dedicated to this priority. For the following period, the envelope for this priority should be in the range of 30%.

·    Support to the implementation of the Association Agreement: This would include a programme to support the institutional strengthening of the Syrian administration responsible for the implementation of the Association Agreement and develop strategies, thus paving the way for the preparation of an ENP Action Plan.

·    Strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations for their better participation on the reform and development process.

4.2 Support for economic reform
In the period 2007-2010, 38% of the bilateral envelope was dedicated to this priority. For the following period, the envelope for this priority should be in the range of 50%.Two new programmes within the NIP 2007-2010 on trade enhancement and business environment simplification will provide the necessary support to adapt the regulatory framework and accompany the trade liberalisation process. In 2010 a programme is foreseen to promote business development, including the corporatisation of State owned enterprise. Support in the future should be expanded.

·    A programme aiming at fostering the competitiveness and productivity of enterprises, notably the small and medium sized ones which are the backbone of the Syrian economy. Such a programme would address issues such as the promotion of entrepreneurship, skills development, promoting innovation, research and development, diversification of production and development of goods with a higher value added

In the light of increasing energy demand and decreasing availability of hydrocarbon resources, energy saving and the introduction of renewable energy ranks high on the government’s agenda.

·    The EC could support a programme to help the Syrian authorities to develop comprehensive long term energy strategy, based on appropriate legislative and regulatory framework, including measures to promote energy efficiency, across all sectors of the economy and the use/development of renewable energy sources. Such interventions will have to be coordinated with current and planned EC regional projects in these areas and with donors and IFIs operating in these areas

4.3 Support for social reform
In the period 2007-2010, 31% of the bilateral envelope was dedicated to this priority. For the following period, the envelope for this priority should be in the range of 20%.

·    The EC could support a programme to support the sustainable development of rural areas and combat their poverty through agriculture competitiveness, a better management of natural resources, economic growth and diversification. The programme will ensure that environmental concerns and climate change related issues as well as the development of quality production and marketing standards in the agricultural sector are taken into consideration.

Global Arab Network

Comments

Add New