The European Union is ready to work with Libya as long as its leader Col Muammar Gaddafi resolves international disputes in a "thorough and fair manner", Commission President Romano Prodi said today.
Tripoli's return to the international stage hit a snag earlier this week when Libyan officials walked out of talks in Paris to compensate families of the victims of the bombing of a French UTA plane in 1989, according to the families' representatives.
"One has to finish clearing up the past in a thorough and fair manner," Mr Prodi said in a speech at the opening ceremony of an informal summit of 10 European and North African leaders.
"Mr Colonel, my dear friend, Europe looks to you with hope, Europe extends its hand, and I am sure you will know how to accept it. We are ready," he told Col Gaddafi.
The Libyan leader, sitting nearby, was the only head of state not to address the meeting. No official reason was given.
During the numerous speeches, Col Gaddafi apparently snubbed French President Jacques Chirac when he did not applaud him for his speech.
"With Libya, France hopes to establish a full and complete relationship," said Mr Chirac, who yesterday again cautioned that failure to compensate the families would cast a shadow on French-Libyan relations.