Syria, Libya Not Invited to European Neighborhood Policy Talks

The representatives of Syria and Libya were not invited to participate in an informal EU ministerial meeting with North African and Middle East partners of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), scheduled for April 13 in Barcelona.

MADRID (Sputnik) – The representatives of Syria and Libya will not take part in an informal EU ministerial meeting with North African and Middle East partners of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), a source in the Spanish Foreign Ministry told the press on Sunday.

The meeting, scheduled for April 13 in Barcelona, will be attended by representatives from 28 members of the European Union as well as Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

"Syria and Libya have not been invited to participate in the meeting because of the internal situation [in the countries]," the source said.

The Syrian government has been fighting rebel groups, including the Islamic State, since 2011. According to UN estimates, the fighting has killed over 200,000 people and displaced millions of Syrians.

Libya has been in turmoil after the fall of the long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Two rival governments and many militant groups are currently fighting for control over the country's strategic areas.

The main issues on the agenda of the meeting are terrorism, security, migration, trade and energy industry.

The European Neighborhood Policy is devoted to helping countries, which seek an EU membership or closer relations with the bloc.