Paris, (SANA)- The forthcoming singing of the Syrian-EU Association Agreement on October 26th is a new phase in the Rapprochement dynamism between both sides according to a French desire emphasized by President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Paris on July 2008, the French Foreign Ministry said. This agreement will contribute in enhancing development and Syria has met the European standards, AFP quoted French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bernard Valero as saying during a regular briefing on Friday. He pointed out to initializing the agreement in Damascus last year during France rotating Presidency of the EU.

Earlier on Thursday, A European diplomatic source said that representatives of the European Union countries had agreed to sign the EU-Syrian Association Agreement at the end of the current month.

"Decision has been taken to sign the Agreement with Syria on October 26th, in Luxemburg," AFP quoted the diplomatic source as saying.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External relations said earlier that the EU is determined to sign an agreement with Syria to hold more consolidated ties between the two sides, saying that cooperation with Syria pours in the interest of the EU.

Mazen Eyon /H.Zain/ Kh.Aridi