Brussels, 07/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - What are the consequences for the Mediterranean of the economic and financial crisis and the Arab uprisings? This topic will be the discussed at a meeting organised by the association Euromed-IHEDN and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Paris on 24-25 November. Immigration and mobility in the Euro-Mediterranean area, it is noted, will be massive factors to be considered in what Euromed-IHEDN sees as a critical issue.
“The Mediterranean is one of the world's biggest fault lines, such are the differences in demographic, social, political and cultural prospects between the northern and southern shores.” It is also, according to Euromed-IHEDN, “one of the most important areas of dialogue, meeting and trade. Border closure, as a result of a tighter approach to immigration, has been very harmful to the creation of the Euro-Mediterranean area, putting a 30-year block on immigration of paid labour”. Yet, “the potential of migratory movement, linked to a regional neighbourhood policy, the delivery of multiple-entry visas and facilitation of economic networks of transnational SMEs, is huge. But is the institutional context in line with this desire for mobility?” Euromed-IHEDN wonders. (FB/transl.rt)