Brussels, 13/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday the European Commission approved a Communication on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership that aims to draw up a balance sheet of the progress achieved, as well as put forward new ideas. The fifteen new ideas were presented to the Ministers and focus on all the chapters of the Barcelona Process, particularly on that of improving how the process itself works. The idea is also to create a "Euro-Mediterranean Foundation" responsible for "dialogue between cultures and civilisations" and will be funded to the tune of EUR 1 million from the Community budget and EUR 1 million from each Member State. The document has been put together in readiness for the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial session on 22-23 April in Valencia.
The Commission has, overall, observed that "significant progress has been achieved" in most chapters (setting up of association agreement networks, technical discussions on regional harmonisation in various Euro-Mediterranean sectors, improvement of the financial instrument (MEDA). At a political level, the Barcelona Process has, according to a spokesperson, the merit of resisting the negative influence of the political stalemate in the Middle East.
As part of the balance sheet and in recognition of the potential represented by the Euro-Mediterranean area, the Commission highlighted a number of problems. The first was that of ensuring that the Euro-Mediterranean area did not become a new line of political and social fracture - illegal immigration, and economic fracture, due to the persistent disparities in development. The Commission also pointed out that none of the chapters had suggested any potential clash with Islam, a risk that should be taken on board in an effort to reduce any inevitable opposition. Overall, the Commission observes that we are facing a wide range of challenges common to us all (control of migratory waves, war on terrorism, incentives for democratic progress, job creation, training and education of the young, access to new information technology, reciprocal opening up of the agricultural markets, intra-regional co-operation, co-operation in the services sector and between companies). The Commission pointed out that the Barcelona Process has become a major political, economic and strategic instrument for meeting these challenges.
One particular issue appeared to divide the Commission, just as it divides opinion within the Council: the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean bank or financial institution. The idea is supported by President Prodi and some Member States (Spain and Italy). The document approved on Wednesday doesn't breathe a word about it but the Commission spokesperson confirmed that the subject was still being discussed with the EIB and the Council. EUROPE will be discussing the Communication at a later date.