Brussels, 29/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - The foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament adopted, on Wednesday 28 April, the report by Vincent Peillon (S&D, France) on the Union for the Mediterranean, with a few compromise amendments unanimously approved. The common position will be put to the plenary's approval in May, in Strasbourg. The resolution proposed underlines the interest of this special dialogue with a region of proximity. “Europe and its neighbours south and east of the Mediterranean are now at a crossroads in their shared history. There is virtually no other option but to join forces in a spirit of solidarity in order to address the major global challenges whose effects are being felt on a daily basis on the shores of the Mediterranean”. Naturally, the political context is not favourable but, as the rapporteur states, the UfM's main aim is not to resolve conflicts that have for years existed between some of its members.
The report calls on the EU and its partners to adopt a “strategic vision” and to come out of cooperation that is based on security or migratory considerations alone. The rapporteur gives a serious account of what has been undertaken to date. He points a finger of blame at the limits of neighbourhood policy conducted with Mediterranean countries which, by giving preference to bilateral relations, proves out of balance and unable to contribute to a joint process of significant reform in the region. Furthermore, Peillon states, it is essential not to multiply or superimpose political instruments and institutional levels that already exist, but to guarantee coherence of the main Euro-Mediterranean cooperation instruments and to take support from the achievements of the Barcelona process.
The rapporteur gives detailed recommendations for transparent functioning of the UfM and its management structure based in Barcelona, and also points to the need to take on means that correspond to its expectations. It will be necessary to ensure that the EU and its Mediterranean partners give the UfM budget enough means to live up to its expectations. The action of partner countries should not be limited to granting loans or to asking for UfM labelling to be put on pre-existing funding projects in other institutional and especially community frameworks. Peillon sounds a note of caution against the risk of under-funding projects within the UfM for which he hopes private and public funds will be made available, mainly from the Community budget without prejudice to commitments already taken - at any rate during the current exercise (2007-2013). He proposes, however, that the following funding programme (2014-2020) should reserve a more substantial share to UfM, and also suggests the setting up of a guarantee framework and foreign investment protection, with the creation of a regional bank in addition to strengthening the FEMIP (Euro-Mediterranean investment facility). Peillon also deals in his report with a European internal aspect linked to the representation of the EU within the UfM and calls for its conformity with the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty to be ensured regarding external action, and urges for an increased role for parliamentary representation. (F.B./transl.jl)