LIBYA: The European Union could establish formal relations with Libya within weeks if, as expected, outstanding disputes between Libya and Germany and Bulgaria are resolved soon, writes Denis Staunton
Commission president Mr Romano Prodi said after a meeting with the Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gadafy, in Brussels yesterday that he expected Libya to apply shortly to join the Barcelona Process, which links the EU to countries around the Mediterranean.
"In a few weeks, maximum, we should have a formal letter to start the Barcelona Process," Mr Prodi said.
A final decision on whether to admit Libya to the Barcelona Process rests with national governments meeting in the Council of Ministers. Germany insists that victims of a Libyan-organised bomb attack in 1986 on a Berlin nightclub must be compensated before the EU opens formal relations with Tripoli.
Mr Prodi said that the dispute was close to being resolved and that Libya had already agreed to pay compensation to the victims.
Bulgaria is demanding the release of six healthcare workers who were arrested in Libya in 1999 and accused of deliberately infecting children at the Benghazi hospital with HIV. Mr Prodi hinted that the EU might offer compensation to the victims if the Bulgarians are sent home.
Outside the Commission headquarters, rival groups demonstrated in favour and against the Libyan leader. Among the protesters was a group from Northern Ireland, demanding compensation for the victims of weapons and explosives sent by Libya to the IRA.
Mr Gadafy showed no sign of repentance over his role in supporting groups he called "freedom fighters", claiming that he was fulfilling his historical duty. "But now, the time has now come to reap the fruits of this armed struggle, namely peace, stability, development. Now we are facing different or new challenges which are common enemies to all of us," he said.