After a string of high profile visits to Damascus broke the ice, the EU has now announced that it is set to initial the Partnership Agreement with Syria on December 14. Thus vanishes the only bargaining chip that Europe had with Syria to pressure Damascus to change behavior. Not that one should be so optimistic about Syria charting a new course. But bad behavior does not deserve rewards. However, according to the EU ambassador to Israel, Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal, quoted in the Jerusalem Post earlier today, “the EU felt a need to respond to a number of positive Syrian moves, including its decision to establish formal diplomatic ties with Lebanon, participation in a Mediterranean summit in Paris last July and the indirect talks with Israel in Turkey.”
One is hard-pressed to see any such a positive move in Syria’s behavior. Consider the following:
- Syria continues to harbor terrorist organizations such as Hamas in Damascus
- Syria gives sanctuary to Jihadis who operate in Iraq and allows Jihadis to transit through Syria en route to Iraq
- Syria has been caught red handed building a nuclear power plant in secret – apparently with the help of North Korea
- Syria continues to meddle in Lebanon’s internal affairs
- Syria’s role in the assassination of slain Lebanese Prime minister, Rafik Hariri is still not settled – to put it nicely
- Syria has tightened the screws on its internal dissidents and opposition, making a mockery of human rights’ commitments that are part and parcel of the Partnership agreement
Given the above, to claim that Syria’s establishment of diplomatic ties with Lebanon is an important step is risible. As for attendance at the Mediterranean Union summit in July and indirect talks with Israel in Turkey, it is not a favor Syria is doing for anyone. And, in the case of talks, Syria has so far declined to address its alliance with Iran. So what’s to reward? Nothing, unfortunately. And that means that Europe’s eagerness to promote business trumps everything–both principle and long-term strategic interest.
