Brussels, 19/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - The secretary general of UfM (Union for the Mediterranean), Fathallah Sijilmassi, welcomes the new changes planned for the EU's neighbourhood policy (ENP) that were unveiled on Wednesday by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn (see EUROPE 11433). This new direction “doubtless opens up new perspectives for the UfM”.
In a press release, Sijilmassi reaffirms his willingness to help fight against the deep social and economic causes of the current security and migration problems through regional cooperation and a common development programme in the Mediterranean. He says the challenges facing the region are of “a regional dimension”, which makes “regional cooperation more important than ever”.
Sijilmassi says that the ENP is a powerful, fundamental tool for enhancing regional cooperation and he is convinced that it will help deal with the region's key challenges and promote a truly shared programme between North and South.
The UfM will continue to make the most of the opportunities offered by the new policy, particularly the prospect of an opening on sub-Saharan Africa. (Original version in French by Fathi B'Chir)