Brussels, 15/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Youssef Amrani, who resigned as secretary general of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) to take up a post in the Moroccan government, has said that “Europe and its southern partners have a unique opportunity to allow the UfM to play the role of catalyst to help and support the process of reconstruction and change in the region”. At his last meeting with representatives of UfM member states, in Brussels at the end of last week, Amrani said that “the priorities established at the 2008 Paris summit will remain valid and relevant. They relate to sectors, such as water, energy, transport and small businesses, which are crucial to the development of the growth potential of the Mediterranean countries.”
“However”, he went on, “new areas for cooperation have been thrust upon us as a result of the new political situation in the Mediterranean countries”.
Political development must go hand in hand with economic development, he argued, adding: “Democracy and involvement in political life are not possible without taking account of the improvement in people's socio-economic situation, and vice versa.”
“I believe there is a need to work, in particular with the least developed regions and to focus our efforts on these regions, to tackle poverty and promote job creation, for young people especially”, said minister delegate Amrani.
He also stressed the need for South-South programmes and for regional integration.
Amrani has been replaced as UfM secretary general by his compatriot Fathllah Sijilmassi, who is expected to take up his post at the start of March. This appointment “again provides recognition of the contribution of Moroccan diplomacy to the UfM”, Amrani said. (FB/transl.rt)