Brussels, 08/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - US President Barack Obama will not be attending the “peace summit” in Barcelona on 21 November despite wishes expressed by Spain and the French co-presidency of the UfM (Union for the Mediterranean). US Ambassador to Madrid Alan Solomont announced the news last week when addressing the Spanish media, above all stating that no invitation to the event has in fact been received by Washington. President Obama will be in Lisbon the day before the peace summit for the NATO summit.
Although many observers consider the chances of bringing the summit off to be very slim, senior officials will be meeting more than once before the fateful day to take a further look at the draft final declaration which, at this stage, practically does not relate to political subjects, and at the official programme which provides for a reception hosted by the King of Spain for the heads of state present. As things stand, discussions between senior officials focus on the operating budget for the UfM general secretariat that has been reduced from an initial €14.5 million annually to €6 million, according to the latest figures given by most of the non-Mediterranean rim countries (with United Kingdom and Germany in particular). (F.B./transl.jl)