Brussels, 03/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The comments of UfM (Union for the Mediterranean) Secretary General Youssef Amrani have been reported in his country's press (Morocco), including Le Matin on 25 December. The secretary general has asserted that the political pre-eminence of the UfM can be confirmed both now and in the future. He said that this organisation is “a political necessity, socio-economic opportunity and, above all, the expression of an indispensable geostrategic need for all countries in the region”. He stated that he did not believe that the organisation was “an empty shell” or a “stillborn child” and that the UfM therefore “intends to play a leading role in the new context in the Mediterranean born out of the wake of the Arab Spring”.
The secretary general aims to make this organisation into “a leading protagonist in the new situation arising in the Mediterranean… one of the main objectives over the next few months is to accompany the processes of change and reform experienced by the region. We want to be there and we want to be useful.”
The UfM is in fact currently experiencing an extremely difficult phase in its history. The general political context, the relative disaffection of its member countries (most of which are concerned about the need to re-establish their own political and security situations on the southern rim of the Mediterranean), the effects of economic crisis and a desire to identify an appropriate response to the challenge posed by the “Arab revolutions” (on the northern side of the Mediterranean), have not helped to encourage initiatives to add any impetus to this bi-regional policy.
The European Commission and its vice president, Catherine Ashton, who is also the EU's high representative for foreign policy, have not yet provided convincing support for the UfM. Egypt, which has been responsible for heading the organisation, together with France and Spain, is now at the centre of its own internal ructions. It had previously handed over control to Morocco. According to persistent rumours in Barcelona, where the organisation is based, as well as in Morocco, the secretary general's seat is once again in danger of becoming vacant.
It is likely that Amrani will be recalled to Morocco to perform a governmental role. Reliable sources have signalled that a rapid news update on any possible changes will be provided, possibly before the end of the week. (FB/transl.fl)