CAIRO, April 26 (Xinhuanet)-- Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Tuesday kicks off a two-day visit to Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union (EU), in a bid to break the international isolation it has been suffering since the Lockerbie tragedy in 1988.

    The landmark trip comes just days after the US government's easing of economic sanctions against the north African country. Gaddafi is expected to hold talks with European Commission President Romano Prodi, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and Foreign Minister Louis Michel.     

    INTERNATIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE FAVORABLE FOR GADDAFI'S TRIP

    Libya began its efforts to cast off the more than decade-long international ostracism in August 2003 by accepting the responsibility for the mid-air bombing of a Pan American Jet over Scotland's Lockerbie in 1988 and the attack on a French airliner over Niger in 1989. It also agreed to pay compensations to the victims' families.

    In December 2003, Libya announced to abandon its programs of developing weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It endorsed the Chemical Weapons Convention in February 2004 and signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its additional protocols in March.

    Libya's change of stance on the WMD has been awarded bonus. TheUnited Nations lifted the sanctions against the country, and several politicians of Western countries, including US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, have paid visits to Libya. The United States on Friday announced the easing of the economic embargo imposed on Libya, which paved the way for US companies to resume trade with Tripoli and investment in the country.     

    LIBYA'S DOMESTIC NEEDS, STRATEGIC NECESSITY PUSH THE TRIP

    Such a favorable international circumstance has enabled Gaddafito pay a trip to Europe, which is aimed to accelerate Libya's economic development and upgrade its international status by improving its relationship with the EU.

    Before the European tour, Libyan officials hailed that the tripis part of a rapid normalization of ties between Tripoli and the West and marks the country's return to the international community.     

    Libya's economy remains largely dependent on its oil export that accounts for 30 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), 60 percent of the government incomes and 94 percent of the country's whole exports. A closer relationship with Europe will greatly push the development of the oil sector and the comprehensive economy. Libya has expressed its desire for cooperation with Western companies in the field.

    Libya's national defense has been substantially eroded due to the international sanctions. Gaddafi seeks to get support from the EU in helping improve Libya's defense capability.     

    BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, SECURITY REASONS CALL FOR EU'S COOPERATION WITH LIBYA

    It is reported that during the visit, Gaddafi will sign several contracts on EU' investment in Libya's oil industry.

    Italy is a leading EU member spearheading the call to lift arms embargo against Libya so that it could sell military equipment such as helicopters, radar and night-vision goggles to the north African country.

    Since Libya is one of the jumping-off points for clandestine crossings by boatloads of illegal migrants heading to Europe, the EU is under pressure to offer help to Libya in its fighting against illegal immigration.

    Moreover, the two sides will discuss Libya's entry into the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Euromed), a political and security agreement between the EU and countries on the southern and easternrim of the Mediterranean. Enditem