Istanbul, 16/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 16 November in Istanbul, the Euro-Mediterranean Economic and Social Summit (which brings together economic and social committees of the EU and other European countries and the Mediterranean basin) began its work. Debates in the session focused on two themes: the need to respond to expectations in southern Mediterranean countries and the need to step up the role of civil society in the processes of change.
This session was the biggest of its kind since the beginning of the “Arab Revolutions”, pointed out Staffan Nilsson, the president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). He declared that they needed to provide a serious response to the new challenges facing them. He also stated that, “we need to pay homage to the sacrifice made by these people” adding that they should not allow the momentum for democracy thus demonstrated to wane.
The president of the Euro-Mediterranean follow-up committee at the EESC, Dimitris Dimitriatis, said that they were now standing at a “crucial” juncture because, “the end of the story is not yet known”. He pointed out that this period is both full of hope and uncertainties regarding the future.
In his inaugural speech, Nilsson emphasised the role of civil society for ensuring the success of the ongoing process of change and helping to meet expectations in terms of social solidarity, democracy and prosperity. Speaking at the opening of the session, Cevdet Yilmaz, the Turkish Minister for development affirmed that, “we want a Mediterranean of well-being”. He underlined Turkey's determination to become an “important actor” in the development of the Mediterranean. In a message to the “summit”, the head of the Turkish state, Abdallag Gül, explained that, “the new situation requires increased regional cooperation. Even though each country has its own characteristics, the objectives and challenges are shared”.
Among the objectives and challenges mentioned, the president of the EESC underlined the need for strengthened social dialogue in all countries of the region. He also mentioned the need to tackle questions relating to immigration, the role of enterprise, job creation, rural development and agricultural diversification, the development of renewable energies and energy efficiency. The deputy secretary general of the UfM (Union for the Mediterranean), Ygit Alpogan, also underlined the need to take into account the scale of change that had occurred this year which, “will not only have political consequences but also economic and social repercussions” and which require the speeding up of UfM projects, which the UfM needs to support and to help locate appropriate funding for the projects. He gave a list of those projects. Roberto Confolanieri, the former president of the Euro-Mediterranean follow-up committee at the EESC subsequently regretted during a short debate that, “the projects are mainly European” and respond more to the needs of EU member states (energy, etc.).
Pierre Deusy, speaking on behalf of the European Commission, described the commitment (particularly financial) made by the EU: more than €1 billion will be mobilised through the reallocation of resources that have already been defined and €350 million as new funding under the “spring” instrument.
In its report presented to the session, the EESC provided a critical view of EU Mediterranean policy and underlined the need to adapt it to the new context. “European policies before the Arab uprising were underscored by a lack of imagination and knowledge about the specificities” of partner countries. Regret was also expressed about the fact that the EESC opinion had never been requested. “The new society that is likely to emerge in the Euro-Med area, judging by the dynamism of civil society, should receive a differentiated, flexible and intelligent response” from the EU and emphasis should be put on the role of civil society, as well as greater awareness regarding the concerns of youth and the desire to see a greater role played by women. “In this context, the EESC has warmly welcomed the review and updating of neighbourhood policy” and is, “in favour of the role and mission of the UfM being redefined” and that it is put in charge of defining, “specific and transparent programmes”. Consequently, the EESC is requesting that decisions regarding the role, mission, organisation and funding of the UfM be taken immediately. It would also like to see a revision of the procedures for European funding, seen as being too complex. The EESC considers that in the current context, the EU should “speak with a single voice”. (FB/transl.fl)