Brussels, 26/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The future of the Euro-Mediterranean region will be played out in that region, in particular in the least advantaged countries that were the first to take part in the southern rim uprisings, which had a considerable effect on European neighbours. This conviction underpins the meetings within ARLEM (Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly) which is scheduled to hold its third session in Bari (Italy) on 29-30 January. The EU is a member of ARLEM through the Committee of the Regions (CoR), which manages projects and holds joint presidency in the person of CoR President Mercedes Bresso, alongside Mohamed Boudra of Morocco, who is president of the region of Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate.
The Bari session, held in the context of the Arab “democratic tsunami”, will give rise to a full exchange of views on reports to be put to its political appreciation relating to the territorial dimension of the Euro-Mediterranean area. The report on this theme was drafted by the co-presidents, Bresso-Boudra.
The deputy secretary general of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Lino Cardarelli, will be at the meeting to set out the projects envisaged relating to the “regional dimension”. The Commission, which will also be represented at the meeting, will set out the means available. The question of environment and spatial planning will also be covered. A report drafted by the president of the region of Puglia, Nichi Vendola, will be presented. The question of energy is also on the agenda and a report by Michel Lebrun of Belgium will be presented on renewable energies. Other reports will be presented on desertification, the cultural dimension and support to SMEs. (FB/transl.jl)