Brussels, 19/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 18 November, the EPP group at the European Parliament met EU ambassadors and heads of mission in Mediterranean countries to examine policy in the region. The European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, attended the meeting.
The exchanges of views, chaired by Manfred Weber, the president of the EPP group, and attended by Mariya Gabriel, vice president of the group in charge of Mediterranean policy, were characterised by the wish to provide this policy with some substance. According to a press release published by the group, Weber informed ambassadors that the EPP group “has shown its commitment to working with you in the context of a new approach to the European Neighbourhood Policy”. The EPP added that it “aims to reshape the European Neighbourhood Policy to promote political, institutional, social and economic conditions necessary to encourage prosperity and stability throughout the region”. The press release explained “This moment is an historic opportunity to prepare a future of peace and common growth and to establish a strong and solid partnership throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region”.
In the press release, the EPP group asserts that it wants “to reinforce relations with the countries of the Mediterranean in order to develop and promote an appropriate strategy for the region, guided by a common goal of a flourishing, dynamic Mediterranean region which can develop itself in peace and security”. The EPP president recommends “democratic consolidation, smart and common management of migration flows, the development of EuroMed trade and the conclusion of free trade agreements” and meeting the, “energy challenges, future perspectives for youth and the role of women”. He also explained that these are “issues that we have identified as priorities. These are concrete issues which correspond to the expectations of citizens on both sides of the Mediterranean, and on which we want to work through regular dialogue.”
Hahn underlined that it was time to define their mutual interests in favour of all citizens from the region and to discourage emigration. (FB)