Foreign ministers seek remedy for previous failings.
The European Union’s member states are arguing over whether a European Commission proposal for a new partnership with the countries of north Africa will remedy the failings of the EU’s approach to the region.
The proposal, adopted by the Commission on Tuesday (8 March), ties assistance to a commitment to political and economic reforms. But a group of member states led by Germany and the United Kingdom wants to strengthen these conditions, while Italy, Malta and other southern states prefer to pursue neighbourly relations and commercial opportunities without the constraint of political conditions.
Member states’ leaders are scheduled to consider the proposal at an emergency summit in Brussels tomorrow (11 March), after preparation by foreign ministers today. But, according to diplomats and officials, the language is deliberately vague, to sidestep the most controversial questions, since it will take months of political negotiations to agree on when and how assistance might be withheld from recalcitrant countries. Work is likely to continue at another summit of EU leaders, scheduled for 24-25 March. Leaders will also try to avoid a quarrel over a possible no-fly zone over Libya, which NATO defence ministers are to discuss at a meeting in Brussels today.
The diverging interests of member states emerged clearly on Monday, when Malta delayed an asset freeze against Libya’s sovereign-wealth fund, fearing a negative impact on Maltese businesses in which the fund holds a stake. The member states are to issue a declaration that such companies can carry on with their operations as long as they do not involve transfer of funds to Libya. The sanctions are to take effect on Friday morning.
Personal involvement also plays a role – as was demonstrated by a controversy created by John Dalli, Malta’s European commissioner, who has long links with Libya. He was obliged to issue clarifications after remarks he made to Maltese businessmen last weekend were interpreted as sympathetic to the Qaddafi regime.