As expected (see EUROPE 12618/5), in conclusions published on Friday 11 December, the European Heads of State or Government underlined their determination “to relaunch, reinforce and further develop” the “strategic” partnership with the EU's Southern Neighbourhood, a partnership built on a shared geography and history.
“A democratic, more stable, greener and more prosperous Southern Neighbourhood is a strategic priority for the EU”, the leaders stated, thereby calling for development of a new agenda for the Mediterranean. This new agenda, based on shared priorities, will need to focus on specific Mediterranean responses and shared management in areas such as the environment, connectivity, education and culture and natural resources.
The European leaders also underlined their willingness to work with Mediterranean countries to fight the coronavirus, strengthen the resilience of economies and societies on both sides of the Mediterranean, preserve their collective security, address the challenge of mobility and migration and offer prospects to young people on both sides.
According to the European Council, the Joint Communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union on a renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood, which is due in February, should “be based on an upgraded and intensified political dialogue across the Mediterranean and lead to reinforced cooperation in order to tackle common challenges and take advantage of shared opportunities”.
The conclusions also return to the subject of Libya (see EUROPE 12620/3), and call for compliance with the Berlin process and repeats the leaders’ offer with regard to training the coastguard and providing equipment and vessels. The only change with respect to the 9 December draft is the leader’s request for the immediate release of the Italian fishermen held since the beginning of September “without any legal procedure”. The fishermen were arrested by Libyan patrol boats and are accused of fishing in Libyan territorial waters. They have been held in Benghazi since their arrest.
The conclusions can be found at: https://bit.ly/2JT7cPu (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)