Divorced! Divorced! Divorced!
Syrian Civil Society Impowerment 2010
Smoke-free Syria
Jews who call Syria home
08/01/2009 - Issue 0
Weaving Belgian lace from Syrian thread
by Tomader Fateh
When the rest of the world seemed to follow US dictates, and turn its back on Syria, Belgium, home to NATO and the EU, kept diplomatic channels open. Forward Magazine talks to Belgian Amabassador Dirk M. Loncke on the reasons for such strong faith in Damascus, and the possibilities this relationship holds.
How would you characterize relations between Belgium and Syria, both past and present?
As you can imagine, bilateral relations between Syria and Belgium have been traditionally excellent: in part this is because of long time trade links, especially in the textile business, as well as a considerable Syrian presence in Belgium. Many Syrians studied in my country, and it always pleases me to hear how much they valued the experience. Another aspect is that Syria appreciates the fact that Belgium has no geopolitical or geo-strategic hidden agenda in this part of the world. I believe that our decision not to participate in the Iraq war – notwithstanding important pressure by some of our traditional allies – proved this convincingly.
Nevertheless, high level contacts were downsized, especially in 2005 and suffered from the international isolation of Syria. I was very happy that Karel De Gucht, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Damascus as soon as March 2007. This was an important step in balancing our policy towards Syria. Indeed, instead of a critical dialogue with lots of criticism and little dialogue, there were frank and open discussions on the highest level, which bolstered mutual understanding over a whole range of issues.
What has, in your opinion, contributed to the strong relations between Syria and Belgium?
In our diplomatic relations, three key words are of the utmost importance. The first is realism. It may seem obvious, but I was honored when the Syrian Ambassador in Brussels, who is also the Syrian representative to the European Union, pointed out that while he has to defend Syrian interests in Belgium as I defend Belgian interests in Syria, the two are not opposed but complementary and therefore we should stay in touch, which is exactly what we do. The second is truthfulness. It is often said that diplomats lie for their fatherland. But this is a grave misperception, dating back to the days of secret diplomacy. What is useful now is silent and discreet diplomacy and that is based on explaining your position truthfully. The third is respect. I often have the feeling that there is a lot of tolerance, but little respect. Tolerance implies that you accept the other as he is, but by doing so you still imply a superior position. Whereas respect means that you put yourself truly on the same level and that recognizing the differences implies neither inferiority nor superiority. That is the way to engage in serious negotiations.
Realistically, how can Syria and Belgium benefit each other?
Turning back to our bilateral relations, my Minister at our yearly heads of mission conference in Brussels last June put the greatest emphasis on “economic diplomacy”. In this globalizing and very competitive world, we need to grab every opportunity to further economic and commercial ties. In the case of Syria this means, amongst others, to sign the already negotiated Agreements for the promotion and protection of mutual investments and to avoid double taxation. I am hopeful this can be finalized before the end of this year. Moreover, from the Belgian side an important trade mission is being prepared for the month of October. It is indeed time to reaffirm our traditional presence in Syria.
You are aware of our glorious industrial past when tramways, electricity and infrastructure works were built throughout the world, including the Middle East and including Syria. Nowadays small and medium enterprises are the cornerstone of our export oriented economy and this implies less interest for difficult, unknown or distant markets because there are plenty of possibilities within the European Union. But our presence in emerging markets is absolutely vital and it certainly lends credit to a company when it manages to be active on other continents. I hope that this economic mission will be able to build on the past and to boldly work towards the future.
President Assad’s visit to France and the timing of this visit was seen as a strengthening of Syria’s relations not only with France, but also the EU. Do you agree?
How quickly things can change in international politics between, let’s say February 14th, 2005 and July 14th, 2008?
Syria was blamed for so many things (destabilising Lebanon, allowing incursions along its border with Iraq, supporting terrorism through its ties with Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, its human rights record and so on), but positive efforts got barely mentioned (Syria’s excellent relations with Turkey, its cooperation with the Hariri murder investigation, its role in the attempted reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah through the Mecca agreement, the presence of nearly half a million Palestinian and 1,5 million Iraqi refugees, the efforts to monitor its border with Iraq). Now it is no longer a matter to discuss whether the glass is half full or half empty, the balance clearly tipped to the positive side. The visit of President al-Assad to Paris marks the end of the, by the way never very successful, international isolation of Syria. The actions by regional countries such as Egypt (with regard to the indirect talks between Hamas and Israel), Qatar (in brokering a solution in Lebanon) and Turkey (as for indirect talks between Syria and Israel) are certainly significant. But eventually these are just starting points because a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East requires also the involvement of the Quartet (Russia, the EU, the US and the UN).
As for the EU, several Member States have shown themselves more than ready to engage in a constructive dialogue (I could mention Spain, Germany, Italy and France for starters). In this respect I consider the issue of the EU Association Agreement with Syria as important, even if it will be a long process until final ratification and even if certain parts, especially the commercial one, will need renegotiation. But it would certainly bring the dialogue between Europe and Syria to a more mature and comprehensive level. The stick and carrot thinking may be somewhat outdated, but to build on a momentum to create a dynamic relationship certainly is not.
What is your assessment of Syria’s liberalized foreign trade, dropped tariffs and imports restrictions? Are we on the right track to a more favourable trade environment?
My assessment since my arrival two years ago has always been that Syria deserves better. But I also felt that Syria chose both its enemies and its friends badly. Taking on most of the world may seem somewhat overplaying one’s hand and aligning with some of the most ostracised states may not be the best move. This especially was a pity because it distracted the attention from the most important issue in Syria, which is, of course, economic reform to ensure an effective fight against poverty. Quite a lot has been done in the monetary field, with regard to financial institutions and liberalisation policy in general. But as usual one can only repeat: so much to do, so little time. Moreover, when everything becomes a priority, there are no priorities. You know the great efforts by the EU in assisting Syria in bringing about these much needed reforms. It is a challenge for the young in this country to seize the opportunities and in a creative and imaginative way contribute to a dynamic economic and social development. At least the Syrian leadership is not afraid to identify the problems and to call for changes. No matter how modest, but I do hope Belgium too can contribute to this effort.
As your tenure here comes to an end, what do you think the chances are for peace in our region? And what role does Syria play in this?
It is often said that an optimist is a pessimist who is badly informed. But as a diplomat I have no choice but to be optimistic. Let us hope that one day peace will be achieved in this troubled part of the world, notwithstanding the crushing weight of history and the deep seethed hatred. It would give Syria again the place it s rightly deserves, because demography and even more so geography constitute factors which are very difficult to alter and are especially favourable to this country. It was my good fortune that twice in my career I witnessed first hand how quickly a country can implement change: economic change in China and political change in South Africa. I see no reason why this could not apply to Syria. Fortunately, diplomacy got a wider meaning over the years.
Economic diplomacy, public diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy broadened the scope of our work. As modern nomads, it is our fate to assist at the regular departure of members of the diplomatic corps. You develop a kind of emotional sclerosis over the years for if, as the French would put it, “partir c’est mourir un peu” (to leave is to die a little) were true, most diplomats would be death. But all of my colleagues who left Damascus since my arrival two years ago insisted on the kindness and friendliness of the Syrian people. As for me, I don’t need to wait for my leave to confirm his: on June 21st I married a Syrian lady and this coming 21st of July, the Belgian national holiday, we will host for the first time together the traditional reception at the residence.
