EU deal should serve Syria, Assad says

ZAGREB, Croatia, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- A partnership agreement between Damascus and the European Union should move forward with Syrian national interests in mind, President Bashar Assad said.

Damascus and the EU moved forward with a partnership agreement in 2004, though European leaders balked on the measure citing human-rights concerns in Syria.

Assad told reporters during a visit to Croatia that the terms of the agreement should not interfere with Syrian affairs, the Syrian Arab News Agency reports.

"It should be a counterpart association," he said. "No interference in Syria's internal affairs will be accepted under any name."

Damascus has moved closer to its neighbors as part of a broad policy meant to reverse years of isolation. Assad said that while his country had made gains, more work was needed.

"Unless our economy is strong, no competitive economic goals can be accomplished," he added.

The Syrian government said in October it was ready to sign onto a partnership agreement with Europe but asked for a delay while it considers the domestic economy.

"There is nothing worse than signing an agreement that doesn't serve the best interests of the country and the coming generations," the president said.