The recent slashing of Lebanese import duties will facilitate an agreement between Lebanon and the European Union (EU), said Europe's special envoy in the Middle East Miguel Angel Moratinos.
"I told the Prime Minister about the EU's interest in and support for the courageous measures which have just been taken by the Lebanese government and which will obviously facilitate negotiations between the EU and Lebanon", Moratinos said after meeting Friday with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
The EU envoy said he hoped an agreement could be signed very soon.
In an interview with the London-based Arabic daily Asharq al-Awsat Wednesday, Hariri, whose government voted major cuts on import duties the same day, explained these measures were an attempt to reverse the decline of the economy by making Lebanon a major trade center in the Arab world.
On November 11, Hariri told AFP that a partnership with the EU was the first step towards integration in the World Trade Organization and eventually setting up an Arab common market -- BEIRUT (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
