Brussels, 26/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - The second Western Mediterranean Economic Forum (“5+5”) took place on 21 May in Lisbon. The first took place in Barcelona last October. According to the organisers, 400 business leaders attended.
The forum was organised by the Portuguese Investment and External Trade Agency (AICEP) and the Portuguese Industrial Association (AIP) under the aegis of Portugal, as president in office of the 5+5 group (the five Arab Maghreb Union countries and five EU member states - Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Malta). The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) also attended.
The meeting focused on sustainable development and sought to promote dialogue and enhance economic co-operation between the countries of the region. Four priority subjects were discussed: water, environment, infrastructure and project funding.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of the 5+5 group. According to press reports from Lisbon, ministers reaffirmed their support for a regional strategy to stabilise and develop the Sahel. (FB)