Syria accuses some EU states of blocking coop pact

Syria's foreign minister accused an unspecified European Union country yesterday of creating a problem that blocked the signing of an economic cooperation deal with Damascus and hinted at an Israeli role.

Farouq al-Shara did not identify the country or elaborate on the problem but said Damascus will not reopen negotiations for the Association Agreement that were concluded in December.

"We do not believe there is a problem or a big stumbling block... (but) there is a contrived problem created by a European country which was joined by one or two others and this is what Denmark's Foreign Minister (Per Stig) Moeller affirmed," Mr Shara told a joint news conference with his Danish guest.

The EU had been expected to initial the deal by the end of 2003, but some governments wanted a greater Syrian commitment against weapons of mass destruction, diplomats have said.

Syria denies US accusations that it is developing chemical weapons but says it has the right to defend itself against Israel, which is believed to have up to 200 nuclear warheads.

Mr Moeller did not make a direct comment on Mr Shara's remarks, but he told the news conference: "I know there are negotiations. I shall not go into the details... because I am not negotiating, but I hope that we will find a solution as soon as possible."

Mr Moeller said he had "very good and very long discussions" with President Bashar al-Assad and Mr Shara that also tackled Iraq and the stalled Arab-Israeli peace process.

Asked what were the reasons behind the delay, Mr Shara replied with a question, hinting that arch foe Israel might have had a role.