The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (PA-UfM) closed its session in Rome on Saturday 13 May by adopting a work programme based on the theme of "sustainable development and employment opportunities in the Mediterranean".
In a press release (not available on line), which is quoted by several of the member countries' media, the participants at the PA-UfM highlighted "the need to consolidate the comprehensive policies for employment in the Euro-Mediterranean area, to support the Euro-Mediterranean recruitment initiative, and to mobilise financial resources in order to foster female entrepreneurship".
Italy and Egypt will take on the rotating co-chairmanship for the coming year.
At the opening of the session on Friday, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani underlined the need to strengthen links and interdependence in various areas (policy and stability, security, the economy and human factor). "I am sure that the citizens on the other shores of the Mediterranean agree on the need for common action to address these challenges", he said, referring to the Eurobarometer results.
Tajani said he was sure the Mediterranean had to be "among the top priorities" of the EU because it "is the key for numerous answers to the concerns of our citizens". "Big challenges await us". Tajani mentioned terrorism, the unrest and wars in Syria and Libya, and the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition, "we are witnessing an escalation in violations of fundamental rights, from the freedom of expression, from human dignity, to the growth of migrant flows through demographic growth, unemployment and climate change".
This observation "conceals enormous possibilities for growth, cooperation and market integration. We have everything to gain from working together, and everything to lose from being divided". Tajani suggests "strengthening [the] partnership, working to be able to respond to the expectations of our citizens, particularly as regards counter-terrorism, the management of migrant flows, the protection of human rights, the removal of barriers to trade, technology transfer and industrial skills, training, and intercultural and interfaith dialogue".
The first area is the "management of migrant flows". However, he warns, "there are no easy solutions. Emergency management is not enough. We must tackle the root of the problem. [We must] create growth, employment, stability and rights in Africa and the Middle East". This will move on to the second area, through a promising "industrial policy and economic diplomacy". "The Parliament is about to approve a new fund for sustainable development in Africa, which will be able to raise several tens of thousands of euro", he said. The crucial problem is "youth unemployment [which] remains high in the Euro-Mediterranean area". "We must put the accent on professional training and university exchanges to create jobs and encourage a capable governing class". Tajani also said with that the next EU budget "we will have to show even more ambition and enable countries that so want to deepen their relations with the Union to have access to the Structural Funds". He also underlined the "role of interfaith dialogue". And he noted that by "improving understanding between cultures, the Euro-Mediterranean political dialogue can drain the ground of terrorism and radicalisation".
In conclusion, Tajani stated: "we are united by cultural, historical and trade links. We must work together to resolve our problems" and for this "the Mediterranean must integrate still further". (Original version in French by Fathi B’Chir)