Syria: Trade (Hansard, 19 July 2004)

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, the trade relationship between the European Union and Syria is underpinned by the EU-Syria co-operation agreement of 1977. Negotiations are under way for an EU-Syria association agreement, as part of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership under the Barcelona process, which aims to create a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010.

§ Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that helpful and informative reply. I recognise the importance of trade and the development of normal, peaceful relations between nations, but is it not the case that Syria has failed to meet important international obligations? In the past, that has led to sanctions against other countries, such as Iraq and Libya. Are we operating different standards here? Is the standard applied to Syria different from that applied to other countries?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I do not believe that it is. The European Union has concluded a number of trade agreements with the countries involved in the Euro-Med process and the Barcelona process. I have been part of those meetings this year, and I have seen no difference in the way in which the negotiations are conducted or in the criteria that trigger those negotiations. I would, however, be misleading your Lordships if I were to say that the negotiations were the easiest that I had ever observed.

§ Lord Clinton-Davis
My Lords, is it not clear that Syria is still the sponsor of terrorism in the Middle East 8 and adheres to a policy of having weapons of mass destruction? How is that compatible with increased trade between ourselves and that country?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, my noble friend uses very strong language. He claims that Syria is a sponsor of terrorism and a possessor of weapons of mass destruction. The fact is that there are causes for concern about Syria's activities on weapons of mass destruction, which is why there is a clause—not only in the agreement that we hope to conclude with Syria but in all future agreements in the EU association agreements process—that deals with the very important question of weapons of mass destruction.
I think, without going into any detail, that it is important that we are clear—I might say "blunt"—with a number of countries in the region about the way that terrorism—even if not sponsored—is perhaps a subject from which individuals turn their face in the opposite direction when it is discussed.

§ Lord Wallace of Saltaire
My Lords, we recognise that critical engagement—with as much emphasis on "critical" as on "engagement"—is the only way forward with Syria. I have two questions. First, how much more scope is there for engaging with Syrian civil society by, for example, expanding the network of Chevening and other scholarships and inviting young Syrians to spend time in this country? Secondly, can the Minister expand a little on what she said about including clauses on weapons of mass destruction in all other European agreements with Mediterranean countries? Does that, for example, include future association agreements with Israel?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, we already have an association agreement with Israel. There are new European neighbourhood policy action plans—I am sorry to use such Foreign Office jargon in your Lordships' House—which involve clauses about weapons of mass destruction. Those who want to have a closer relationship with the EU will be asked to negotiate on that basis. I cannot tell your Lordships that there will be standard wording for every clause; one size does not fit all in negotiations. However, the issue will certainly be raised in all future agreements of that nature.
I agree with what the noble Lord said about Chevening scholarships. We regard them as one of the key areas for developing a relationship.

§ Lord Howell of Guildford
My Lords, I am sure that we all want better trade relations with Syria, and I know that the noble Baroness has been directly involved in discussions with Syria about its attitude. Does she think that the American decision to apply sanctions has helped the situation, given the very poor state of the Syrian economy? All the tourists have been driven away from Syria's marvellous sites, and Syrians have a very low standard of living.
9 Can the Minister confirm that the conditions that we seek are that Syria should not only denounce weapons of mass destruction but should truly cease to harbour terrorists and conceal any terrorists who may have fled over the border from Iraq? Are the Syrians even prepared to contemplate such things?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I myself have discussed those matters with the Syrians. The right way to tackle such issues is through a process of critical engagement, rather than by adopting the attitude of the United States of America, which has imposed sanctions that prohibit the export of goods and services from the US to Syria, with the exception of food, medicine, cellphones and Internet equipment—interestingly enough—and aircraft parts. It is also the case that US investment is still allowed. By tackling the issues of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction with the Syrians, we at least stand a chance of enhancing not only our relationship but the security of the region, which of course is our ultimate objective.