Brussels, 22/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Euro-Mediterranean Forum of the Civil Society, which met in Brussels on 19 and 20 October, called on the EU to come out of the "current ambiguity" towards the Mediterranean where the situation is today made "even more dangerous by US policy". Euro-Mediterranean NGOs and associations consider there cannot be a regional policy if the deep inequalities and long term problems of economic development are not taken into consideration. They also asked for the creation of an international civil force to protect the Palestinian population, and a stop to the arms trade between Israel and the countries of Europe.
Debates covered: - migration policies and the need to fight more vigorously against racism whose recrudescence is causing concern for NGOs. The idea is to organise, in one year from now, "Euro-Mediterranean immigration assizes"; - cultural exchanges: considering that the Barcelona Process "has not deployed its full potential", the NGOs recommend "a policy for books and translations"; - the strengthening of women's rights in this common area: a seminar is to deal with the matter before each ministerial session.
In a letter to President Prodi, the Euro-Mediterranean NGOs and associations state that they noted "with great astonishment" the lack of any Commission representation at the Forum. They express indignation about this "indifference" towards the "lifeblood of a civil society that is increasingly marginalised in implementation of the Barcelona Process". No representative of the European institutions in fact answered the invitation, not even officials directly responsible for the issue and who managed the Community's financing of this event. Only the Belgian diplomat who coordinates the Barcelona Process was present at the debate.