Brussels, 05/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Mediterranean Assembly of Citizens (ACM), which was set up in 2009, held its second session on 2 December in Tunis, attended by many academics, civil society representatives and politicians, including MEPs (Malika Benarab-Attou) and the president of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Mercedes Bresso. The central theme was to develop an analysis of the different crises in the Mediterranean and a number of perspectives for the region. A representative from the Council of Europe pointed out that “the Arab Spring occurred in the context of general crisis and is based on demands for dignity and the eradication of corruption”. Emphasis was also placed on the need to enhance governance.
The ACM does not have any official legal status and is not putting itself forward as a new institution but explained that it is up to citizens to have their say and make the euro-Mediterranean area a reality. The ACM explained that “although its unity and political existence has not yet been tested, the Mediterranean region is a historic, human, trade, cultural, social and environmental reality. This reality is significant and needs to be emphasised.” The ACM regrets that “this reality has disappeared from view due to the implementation of a strong transatlantic axis and of the European Union construction and of the integration of northern Mediterranean countries”, which “have been able to sustainably turn countries neighbouring the whole of the Mediterranean away” while “the failure of attempts to develop construction in certain southern and eastern entities of the Mediterranean is blatant”.
Some of the other obstacles highlighted include: the sharp contradiction between the free movement of goods and capital, the restrictions imposed on the free movement of people, and the developing tensions between different religions. The major challenge now consists of finding a way of building a Mediterranean community of peoples, of which one of the conditions would be helping to mitigate mutual fear. (FB/transl.fl)