The secretary general of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Fathallah Sijilmassi, is pleased with the results of the second session of the regional Mediterranean Forum. This has given "new momentum" and a "strong political signal" in favour of strengthening the cooperation between both sides of the Mediterranean – a common area for exchange affecting a population of nearly 800 million citizens (see EUROPE 11710).
Over a third of this population are young people of under 25, it was constantly repeated, and this was in fact the key theme of the forum. The urgency to take action for young people, and to promote jobs and entrepreneurship were mentioned at every turn in each of the debates. These were structured around four workshops: financing, human development, sustainable development and actions directly affecting young people.
With this signal now launched, and with the resolve to show renewed commitment, the most difficult exercise will be to give a concrete appearance to this cooperation. Its importance has appeared to shrink in the face of domestic constraints and European uncertainties, and with the European Union's attention more focused on its eastern neighbourhood. Its importance has also appeared to shrink in the face of the uncertainties and dangers which weigh on the southern neighbourhood – results of the continuing conflicts (especially between Israel and Palestine) and of the political and security upheavals since the clear emergence of political Islamism.
The question of the means available does not, however, have a precise response. The accounting is complex. The UfM mainly limits itself to mentioning its needs to finance the 47 "labelled" projects (€5.5 billion) and the potential contributions have, until now, been dependent on resources from the EU's neighbourhood policy, the EIB and more recently from the EBRD. A "workshop" on Tuesday for specific discussions on financing provided the opportunity for both banks to present their own actions, some of which coincide with those proposed by the UfM. The EIB thus stated that it had dedicated nearly €22 billion to the Mediterranean region since the launch of the Barcelona Process in 1995. Member states sometimes contribute "in kind" through practical assistance like the secondment of officials. Sweden announced on the sidelines of the forum that it would grant €6.5 million in pluriannual financing to support projects for women's empowerment, the climate and energy saving, and youth. A convention on this was signed on Tuesday. Other protocol agreements were signed the same day including the Agadir Agreement on "South-South" Mediterranean trade and the United Nations. The Spanish agency for international development cooperation pledged more direct commitment.
"We are coming out [of this forum] mobilised", "we are no longer prisoners of a negative agenda", Sijilmassi concluded. (Original version in French by Fathi B'Chir)