Marseilles, 16/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - The first part of the 4th Euro-Mediterranean Conference, which opened its works on Wednesday in the early evening in Marseilles, was dominated by the issues linked to the conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean (Middle East) to the extent that the order of the works were reviewed. The inaugural session was shortened and reduced to the sole speech of the EU Council President, Mr Hubert Védrine (in addition to those made by local personalities, Mr Jean-Claude Gaudin, Mayor of Marseilles and Michel Vauzelle, President of the General Council). Thirteen European Ministers for Foreign Affairs were present, including the Italian Lamberto Dini and the Greek Minister, contrary to what was indicated on the eve in Brussels. The same for Libya, invited by the Presidency, it caused a surprise when it revised its refusal to assist: a significant delegation came from Tripoli including the head of diplomacy for whom the Presidency is planning to grant the right to speak in certain meetings, despite its status of passive observer.
The programme change, on request from Arab-Mediterranean countries, resided in the calling of a special session (in the presence of a delegation from the European Parliament lead by Mr Imbeni who was invited to all meetings between delegation heads) dedicated to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to diplomatic sources, the exchange of views was full of "frank, hard, but not aggressive" statements and the two main protagonists, Nabile Shaat, Palestinian Minister, and his Israeli colleague, Shlomo Ben Ami, both set out their arguments, though while asserting their respective desire for dialogue and to reach a settlement for the present conflict. The Council President Mr Védrine said on this issue: "for the European Union, there still is no other path, but that of dialogue and the search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, these two people with a intertwined destiny. Despite the emotion raised by pain and fear, everything must be done the hold on to the undertakings made, to put an end to the violence, and return to calm and reason, recreate hope".
Another "political gesture" was made by Mr Védrine: the organisation on Thursday morning of a meeting by Arab countries on the sidelines of the conference, with the European "troika" (the acting and following Presidencies, France and Sweden; "Mr CFSP" and the Commission). These gestures by Mr Védrine apparently had the aim of supporting the Arab countries that did not follow Syria in its boycott of the conference. Damascus as well as Beirut waited until the last minute to announced their defection. According to an Egyptian diplomat, "a generalised boycott would have simply left Israel all the space within the instance that is in the interests of the Arab countries". Mr Védrine expressed his regret for the double defection: "we know that several Arab countries questioned their participation; two of them felt unable to come to Marseilles under these conditions. I regret their decision while respecting it. But the European Union is convinced that Euro-Mediterranean cooperation is sufficiently important, in itself and for the future of all our people, for it to be able and even it must continue independently its vicissitudes on the peace process, even the most tragic. And also it is evident that this cooperation can only fully end the day when a fair and global peace will have been concluded between Israel and its Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian neighbours, our partnership can help, without waiting for this time to come, to find solution, and now and by holding a dialogue, by creating links, by developing concrete solidarity".
The Palestinian authority, most concerned, did not rob itself of contact with the Israelis (even if member of the Palestinian delegation where unable to come to Marseilles having been prevented from doing so by Israel). The only practical effect of the Syrian absence was, for the Arab countries, the need to select another spokesperson to carry the collective message adopted in Doha calling upon the EU to play a greater role in the search for solution to the conflict in the region. The head of the Palestinian delegation finally assumed this role.
In his opening speech, the Council President, Mr Hubert Védrine, having recalled the initial aims, from five years ago in Barcelona (a vision of peace and stability for the whole region, with a desire to create a new Mediterranean) mentioned the few progressions.
The political dialogue process with 17 is in place, civil societies from the countries increase their exchanges with greater vitality, association agreements have seen the day, others are in the process of being ratified. Though, he noted, it is clear that the present context is unfavourable towards our moves". That is why, he told his colleagues, I am making a plea for this conference to return to the spirit of Barcelona, and that together, we still move forwards (…) strong from this experience, we must now re-centre the process on ambitious, but achievable projects. The summaries follow below:
Mr Védrine made nearly no allusions to the cultural and social aspects to which the partner countries, as well as the Commission wanted to give substance.
After the exchange of political views and the meeting of the Troika, Thursday morning was dedicated to the economic aspect of the partnership. See following pages for this issue.