Libya Develops Relations with EU
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, along with the EU Presidency, began negotiations on the EU-Libyan Framework Agreement on November 13. She met with with Libyan representatives led by Abdulati Elobeidi, Secretary for European Affairs, and Mohamed Tahar Siala, Deputy Secretary at the General People Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation of Libya. The agreement will set out a framework for political, commercial, social, economic, and cultural relations between the EU and Libya.
The agreement has great potential to establish a strong political partnership and an increase in trade and investments between Libya and the EU.
Ferrero-Waldner stated, “This was a long awaited moment since the 2004 EU’s decision to lift the sanctions against Libya and to start a policy of engagement with this country.” She also mentioned the fact that Libya is the last South-Mediterranean country that the EU has not contractual relations with and that it is eager to establish a legal-framework covering all areas of concern.
The objectives of these negotiations is to develop an agreement to develop a political dialogue and cooperation on foreign policy and security issues, a free trade area, and cooperation in areas of concern such as energy, transportation, migration, justice and domestic affairs, environment issues, education and public health. Statements from the negotiation committee also plan on tackling issues dealing with human rights and democracy, and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Roy Dickson
