It has been a great advantage to get first hand knowledge of European Union remarkable story of success, achievement, unity and of common destiny, a tale of how unity, apart from every diversity and bygones can make history. The 1950’s inspiration of Monnet and Schuman of coal and steel resources pool is very soon to exceed a 25 member state giant and unique Union. It was a one-week information visit 29 March-5April 2003, at the invitation of European Commission, into the heart of Europe, Brussels, who meets its visitors of all EU 15 countries and of all corners of the globe, with a very lovely quite and friendly smile. It was, indeed, a very generous welcome by the city white flags, no war flags decorated almost every window of this peaceful capital, where EU main institutions stand. People of all colors, languages, figures interact, mingle coexist and move in every direction to keep up with the increasing pace and movement of actions. It was a very trying moment at times of war against Iraq, the place where most of hearts and eyes pray for its civilians and innocents to be spared the misdeeds and committed follies, including those by its uncalculated reckless leader, who fought every losing war against brothers, sisters and friends. The schedule was, however, heavy and tight where we were to pay visits to the headquarters of EU decision planning and taking: Charlemagne: building of the European Commission, Breydel:Justus Lipsius: building of the EU Council, Altiero Spinelli” building of the Europan Parliament ,Residence Palace International Press center. It was an opportunity to be acquainted with the mechanism and bylaws of EU’s Institutions including: EU Commission ( 20 members) , European Council of Ministers(15 Ministers) , European Law, which has precedence over domestic law, EU Parliament ( 626 Members ) with its co decision mechanism, European Court of Justice (15 Judges), European Council: rotating presidency every 6 months, Pressure Groups, Court of Audit, European Investment Bank and other affiliated vital bodies. Of no less importance was our meeting at the headquarters of the International Federation of Journalists with its Secretary General, Mr. White, hence Brussels is also the news center of Europe and the reporting hubs of the global media system. Indeed, I was so lucky to have face to face interaction and viewpoints exchange with some of the most senior EU officials including Messrs and Mmes Papadopoulos, Seatter, Gehringer, Leffler, Ingber Johansson, Berger, Laurent, Catellano. Havelks, Morgantini, De Ojeda, Dary, not to mention our historical meeting with Mr. Chris Patten, External Relations Commissioner.

The meeting with Mr. Patten, though of his tight and heavy agenda, was indeed friendly, transparent, candid and fruitful . In his office, 8 journalists from three countries: Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, gathered for sharing some of the rich insight and great experience of a shrewd politician. Next to him, I planned to sit after waiting for some time to take a sigh of relief that HE had received by that time my recent interview with Syrian Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs, Dr. Mohammad Al-Hussein. This was part of my question to Mr. Patten, “ the ongoing reform and development process” in my country. “Syria is an enormously important partner of the EU. The reasons are historical, economic and cultural. We have a great deal of shared history and a shared interest in peaceful and stable and prosperous future for the Middle East.” said Mr. Patten. “ One of my ambitions before I leave my present job towards the end of next years is to complete agreement- association agreement- with Syria. The prospecting of achieving this has been greatly advanced by the economic reforms in Syria. We very much welcome the process of reform, we hope the momentum which has been given by Syria’s own economic reform to our negotiations can be continued” added Mr. Patten.

Mr. Patten’s vision of a more active EU-Med Partnership was so encouraging stating “EU’S Keenness on partnership as to enable the countries of the South to enjoy more economic growth, more sharing of scientific and technical advances, more of greater political stability”. The official spoke out of deep faith and belief in the importance of a more close interaction and cooperation between the shores of the Mediterranean in the interest of human interaction and civilization dialogue away from tension and conflicts. Mr. Patten spoke of the importance historic and heritage role of Damascus, Beirut, Amman in the same way he was to speak of that of any European capital. Every word he uttered did strike on the right note of cooperation, coexistence and solidarity in the interest not only of the Mediterranean but worldwide in the global village of today. “ It is imperative to achieve peace, to prevent the ongoing division between Europe and the Arab World” on the bases of UNSC Resolutions, Road Map, Arabs Initiative of Peace, “ It isn’t important to write the Road Map but to implement it”, “It is very difficult to see how you can establish peace, see a viable Palestinian state, unless settlement activity is ended right away”. Thus the statements by Mr. Patten can be considered by all accounts a further plea and urge for peace, stability and prosperity in our region, the very region, which is in a dire need for cooperation, reconciliation, peace prosperity more than its futile meaningless need for troubles and unrest. Hopefully, such calls, added to those of millions worldwide, are to be soon paid heed to, especially from the rulers of Israel, as to initiate a page of glory, prosperity, and viable peace. The need is dire now more than ever to capitalize on peace and to invest in peace and as Mr. Patten said: “to dedicate our selves to work very hard as to prevent clash of civilization”.

To be fair, almost every interlocutor did have the same desire and wish for just and comprehensive peace in the region; including, for Example Mrs. Morgantini, Confederal Group of the European United Left, Nordic Green Left from Italy, member of the European Parliament. Stress was laid that the region direly needs just and comprehensive peace on the bases of related UNSC Resolutions, Road Map, Arabs’ Unanimous Initiative of Peace stipulating the full Israeli withdrawal from the 1967 occupied Arab territories to the line of June4th. Mrs. Morgantini did share another EU Parliament Member, Mr. Dary from France, his concerns that the Government of Mr. Sharon is more for war than peace citing the ongoing aggressions and Sharon’s September 2000 provocative visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque. A two- state solution: one for Israel one for the Palestinians, the withdrawal of Israeli occupation troops to the borders of June4th, 1967, just solution for refugees, Holy Jerusalem were also among the topics underlined citing EU’ intention to be not only as “ a payer” but as “a player” considering the exerted around the clock efforts by Mr. Solana, Moratinos and others in search for comprehensive peace in the region.

In further meetings, the Process of Barcelona (1995) and MEDA Projects were highlighted. EU is the largest provider to give assistance to the region countries hence the region of the Middle East is very close to Europe and does share with it cultural, historical emotional neighborhood and geographical closeness. MEDA2 projects ( 2002-2006) target social, health, training, environment, water, administration and trade sectors. In Syria, for example, 30 million Euros were allocated for health sector, 8 Million for sanitation system, 2 Million for Academic and University cooperation not to mention the indicative programmes for the modernization of industry sector, and the allocations for banking, finance and local administration sectors. Ten rounds of negotiations were so far concluded regarding the long-awaited for Association Agreement between the EU and Syria. Hopefully, the Agreement is soon to be concluded in the interest of both sides. EU- Mashrek 2003 Tripartite to be organized in Damascus next October was highly appreciated as an opportunity to bolster cooperation and to highlight the underway reforms in Syria in line with the Syrian Government and EU joint desire to develop the Mediterranean through investment and economic reforms. Further, the active dynamic and pivotal role of the EU Commission, Syrian European Business Center in my country were highlighted.

In Sum, this is but a first hand rich experience, a journey to the heart of Europe. Europe, the closest of all to the region conditions, merits and demerits. It is Europe, with its increasingly international weight and role, which my country has ever called for its sincere and serious involvement and contribution as to help in alleviating and uprooting some of the stumbling hindrances on the way of prosperous tomorrow, mainly the continued Israeli rejection of just and comprehensive peace. In so doing South-South cooperation and Euro-Med partnership can be further bolstered and pushed forward. The last call to this effect came by His Excellency, President Bashar, in his April 2nd Interview with an Austrian Daily, in” which HE attached such a pivotal importance to the EU role between the EU and the people of our region, who do need peace and stability. It is the need for Europe’s more active role considering EU civilization and cultural role, Syria has ever bee the bridge of cultures understanding and coexistence among people as well as civilizations”. Such a bridge has so far bridged every gap, regardless of how much width. We all do sail in the same boat into the shores of joint interests, security, peace, stability and prosperity.

BY

Mohammad Abdo al-Ibrahim

Abdo88@ureach.com