News

Euro-Med Foreign Ministers decided 2009 work programme and cooperation fields

05-11-2008

The institutional structures of the "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean", its work programme for 2009, the fields of cooperation to be pursued in 2009 and the state of progress in the implementation of projects listed in the Annex to the Paris Declaration, are the four issues addressed in the 28-page Final Declaration adopted by the Euro-Med Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Marseilles.
 
The Ministers propose that as from the Marseille meeting (3-4 November) the "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean'' should be called "Union for the Mediterranean” and decided that the League of Arab States shall participate in all meetings at all levels contributing positively to the objectives of the process, namely the achievement of peace, prosperity and stability in the Mediterranean region.
 
On the structure of the Union for the Mediterranean, one of the decisions taken is that the co-presidency shall apply to summits and meetings and that one of the co-presidents will be from the EU and the other from the Mediterranean partner countries. The seat of its Secretariat will be in Barcelona.
 
The Ministers propose an indicative list of ministerial meetings for 2009, including four that would be held for the first time, on Sustainable Development Projects, Food Security, Agriculture and Rural Development, Justice, Liberty and Security and Human Development.
 
The fields of cooperation to be pursued are: political and security dialogue, maritime safety, economic and financial partnership (energy, transport, environment, information society, tourism), and social, human and cultural cooperation.
 
The Ministers decided the actions to be taken towards the goal of establishing a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area. They also refer to the important role of reliable statistics as an important factor in decision making and note the statistical services in the partner countries are receiving technical assistance from the regional MEDSTAT II programme, that will run until September 2009.
 
Mention is also made to the role of other regional programmes funded under the priority fields of cooperation, such as Euro-Med Justice II and Euro-Med Police II.
 
On strengthening the role of women in society, they decided that in order to prepare for the coming Ministerial Conference two working groups should be organized during 2009, while on youth cooperation they say the Euro Med Youth IV Programme will continue to run in conjunction with the Youth in Action Programme.
 
References are made to other issues on the agenda, such as the need for more visibility to the Partnership to achieve understanding and acceptance, as well as its accountability and legitimacy, and tackling migration issues, on which they note the launching of the regional Euro-Med Migration II Programme (2008-2011).
 
Taking note of a recommendation from the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, the Ministers underline that the position of the EMPA should be further consolidated and its work better articulated with the other institutions of the Partnership. They also stress the need to promote the implementation of concrete action at local and regional level and take note of the important role and contribution of civil society as well as the Economic and Social Councils and Similar institutions.
 
With regard the implementation of projects included in the Paris Declaration (13 July), they welcome the progress on de-pollution of the Mediterranean, they note the work done towards developing a "Motorway of the sea" project, and make references to progress made and suggestions on civil protection, alternative energies: Mediterranean Solar Plan, higher education and research and the Mediterranean Business Development Initiative
 
Furthermore, the Ministers reaffirm their commitment to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and mention other relevant issues, including the indirect talks between Israel and Syria, under Turkey’s auspices and the establishment of relations between Lebanon and Syria.
 
They also welcome the dedication and interest expressed by three new members of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Croatia and Montenegro, together with Albania, to add their efforts in contributing to a successful integration of the Adriatic countries in the existing and future initiatives and projects in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
 
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean will meet in the second half of 2009 in order to take stock of the progress achieved in the implementation of the working programme for 2009, and the projects agreed and in particular the key initiatives as agreed at the Paris Summit, as well as prepare for the next summit in 2010.
 
Marseilles Declaration
 
Javier Solana remarks
 
EC press release (31 October)
 
EuroMed Info Centre – UfM
 
 
Info Notes: An overview of projects funded by EuropeAid’s Regional Programme (Euro-Med Partnership)
 
Now available in three languages, on-line:
                  
English             French            Arabic

NEWS
EU investigates new sustainable energy solutions in Egypt
As part of its continued support in the domain of renewable energy in Egypt,...
Jazz au Chellah Festival: when European Jazz meets Moroccan music
The ‘Jazz au Chellah’ Festival, a platform of European Jazz...
Nataliya Apostolova appointed as new Head of EU Delegation to Libya
EU Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton announced today the appointment of...
FEATURES
Spreading colours over isolation
Armed with brushes, paints and spades, their chosen battlefields are schools...
Turning olive oil waste into euros while protecting nature
It’s no secret that the Mediterranean region accounts for the...
Interview with Paul Walton – sharing experiences and values to find common ways to overcome challenges
 Since 2005, the Anna Lindh Foundation has led and supported joint...
PUBLICATIONS
Panorama of EU Regional Programmes and Projects in the Southern Mediterranean
 The ‘Panorama of EU Regional Programmes and Projects –...
EU Neighbourhood Barometer: Tunisia Autumn 2012
    A factsheet highlighting key findings from the Autumn 2012 EU...
infographic south
...
LINKS
EU Donor Atlas
Map of ENPI CBC Land Border and Sea Crossing Programmes
SIGMA publications