From albawaba
European Union member countries decided on Wednesday to urge Syria to boost efforts against the proliferation of WMD, as part of an association deal between Damascus and the 25-member bloc, diplomats said. Syria is the only Mediterranean country which has not signed an association agreement with the EU, aimed at creating a free-trade zone in the region, AFP reported. The accord was scheduled to be concluded earlier this year, but signing was held up by a wrangle over the wording of the section on weapons of mass destruction. However, a diplomatic source in Brussels said that EU ambassadors reviewed the topic on Wednesday and "arrived at a consensus on a new formulation which will be presented to Syria in the next few weeks." "The language on what efforts Syria should make against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has been hardened up," the source said. The source added that the new wording should not endanger the signing of the deal. |