Brussels, 31/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - “Reflecting upon the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations as a whole is a major venture for France, for Europe and for the countries of the southern Mediterranean”, France's Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said on 30 March as he addressed the French National Assembly. Juppé reiterated his country's continuing interest for the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) of which, in theory, it still holds the joint presidency. He said: “Upheavals in progress on the southern rim show to what extent this initiative was premonitory. They show the extent to which we share a common destiny with our Mediterranean neighbours. If the partnership approach underpinning the Union for the Mediterranean takes on its full meaning, then it is for today as our interlocutors will be the new governments that are responsible and that embody the will for democratic change”. He did, however, recognise that, unfortunately, the UfM has come up against blocking of the Middle East peace process. In the same way, he said, the Barcelona process launched in 1995 has not, for various reasons, had the hoped-for outcome. And yet, the EU has made its relations with the Mediterranean a priority, he said, as it has engaged in a policy of association and commercial openness towards its southern neighbours within the context of the Barcelona process.
At present, Alain Juppé pointed out, citing Tunisia in particular, “a wind of freedom (…) is blowing through the region. The peoples, each at their own pace, are writing a new page in their histories. Each country has its specific features. They are creating their own models.” Juppé added that this is a “new situation that is taking shape to the south of the Mediterranean. Europe must go with it. It must first of all accompany it - without paternalism or preconceived ideas - so that the democratic transition may prove successful”.
Europe must promote the emergence of a zone of stability and prosperity in its immediate southern neighbourhood, he said, adding that this was the whole meaning of the new partnership for democracy and shared prosperity to the south of the Mediterranean, as presented by Catherine Ashton and the Commission and that, Juppé said, they hope to set in place within the framework of the European Union. Alain Juppé said that first and foremost there was the financial priority and that, “in that context, we want at least two-thirds of the neighbourhood allocation to continue to be devoted to the Mediterranean, in particular in the financial perspectives for 2014-2020. That is something we must continue to fight for as there is no obvious unanimity on this point in Brussels”. On the subject of investment, he said, it is necessary to continue making progress on the idea of a specifically Mediterranean investment instrument - an investment bank for the Mediterranean - based for example on the Euro-Mediterranean investment and partnership facility known as FEMIP. Finally, there is need to “recast the European Neighbourhood Policy” and to “promote a global approach to migration which should initially be through determined action by the southern rim countries for controlling their borders and combating illegal immigration”.
On the subject of Libya, Alain Juppé said the EU plans to play its full role to find a solution to the crisis in Libya. First of all, it will continue to step up pressure through sanctions to gain Gaddafi's departure. Then, it must show its willingness to support the Libyan people in the transition leading to democracy, in respect of Libyan sovereignty and Libya's territorial integrity. And, finally, it must provide support for the humanitarian and civil protection operations, including through maritime means, Juppé said. (F.B./transl.jl)