The MEPs of the Committee on Foreign Affairs were quite enthusiastic, on Friday 12 February, about the European Commission’s new strategy for the Southern Neighbourhood, presented on Tuesday 9 February (see EUROPE 12654/8).
“We are delighted to see this initiative on the part of the Commission”, stressed Andrey Kovatchev (Bulgaria), on behalf of the EPP, during a debate with the Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy, Olivér Várhelyi. “I believe that this ambitious new agenda, with a more attractive economic and political offer, can help to promote prosperity, security and stability in the region, as well as increasing the visibility of the EU”, he explained.
On behalf of the S&D, Croatian MEP Tonino Picula called the proposal in the Communication “a good start to renew the partnership”. “The Covid-19 pandemic reminds us of the need for tangible and solid cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean. It is essential to revive and strengthen the strategic relationship”, he added.
Anna Bonfrisco (ID, Italy) gave her support for “advancing the path of dialogue and cooperation” between the EU and the region, pointing out that other countries are extending their influence in the region, notably China and Russia.
Spain’s María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (Renew Europe, Spain) thanked the Commissioner for the strategy, although she pointed out that, in addition to renewed efforts, there was a need to reflect on the in-depth changes to be made. For her, security often takes precedence over democratic reforms. “We must put an end to the false dilemma between European interests and values. Our values must be our main interests”, she said.
On behalf of the Greens/EFA, her compatriot Jordi Solé also insisted on the importance of fundamental rights, on a partnership based on common values. He called for the Communication and the plan to be a real incentive for Mediterranean countries to show greater respect for democracy and the Rule of law. According to him, the strategy does not place enough emphasis on human rights.
For Özlem Demirel (The Left, Germany), this new strategy is just a continuation of the old one. “It’s not really a partnership in the true sense of the word, we don’t care about fundamental rights in the region, but it’s more about trying to push back refugees and having good trade figures (with these countries) here in Europe, that’s not acceptable to me”, she criticised.
Several MEPs emphasised that financial support linked to the strategy should be targeted and subject to certain conditions, in particular as regards respect for human rights or the fight against corruption.
On Thursday 11 February, the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Nasser Kamel, welcomed this new agenda. “In the framework of the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Process, the EU’s renewed partnership with the Southern Mediterranean countries and its accompanying Economic and Investment Plan will help to address the pressing challenges facing our region today”, he explained in a statement. According to him, “the new Agenda is based on the shared conviction that by working together and in a spirit of partnership, at the bilateral, multi-country and regional levels, we can turn common challenges into opportunities for our common Euro-Mediterranean region”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)