EU to sign partnership with Syria this month: diplomat
(BRUSSELS) - The European Union will sign a partnership deal with Syria later this month, a diplomatic source told AFP Thursday, after years spent fretting over human rights concerns in Damascus.
"The deal is due to be signed with Syria on October 26 in Luxembourg," said the diplomat.
The EU and Syria first drew up a draft pact in 2004 but it was never signed by EU member states for political reasons -- with the Netherlands in particular demanding a clause allowing for its suspension in the event of proven rights abuses.
Brussels froze relations with Damascus after the assassination in February 2005 of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, despite Syria's denials of involvement.
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