Brussels, 18/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - In its communication to Council, approved on 13 February in preparation for the Euro-Mediterranean ministerial session to be held on 22 and 23 April this year in Valencia, the European Commission calls for a methodical relaunch of the Barcelona Process. It seeks first of all to draw up an inventory of progress made and then to present "new ideas" for a sustainable and serious re-activation of the process. Special emphasis is placed on cooperation in the third section - social, human and cultural affairs as well as other aspects relating to the human element- considered hitherto as the "poor relation" of Euro-Mediterranean dialogue. The Commission, moreover, does not plan to relinquish the practical conduct of the Barcelona Process, that some countries consider too "unilateral". Overall, it calls for the potential represented by the Euro-Mediterranean area to be better exploited in economic terms and with regards human proximity, cultural matters and civilisation. The tragic events of 11 September make it all the more important to maintain and further develop dialogue and mutual understanding, the Commission says. It aims to prevent the Mediterranean from becoming an economic and social "fracture zone" and to prevent, in the current international context, the growing development gap from becoming a source of explosion. This risk was explicitly stressed in a first draft of the communication, but the Commission finally deleted from the text the phrase proposed by Commissioner Patten. Mr Patten states that some speak of clashing with Islam. He believes, however, that the current tension is not due to inevitable opposition between the peoples living on either side of the Mediterranean or between the two great monotheistic religions, but is nurtured by hatred, ignorance, intolerance and injustice within society. It is urgent not to allow an "iron curtain" from forming between the two Mediterranean shores. He felt this region must, on the contrary, be a source of dynamism, creativity and exchange, which are all the fruit of secular cultural diversity. In this spirit, the Commission calls for the common challenges to be raised. It states that, although the countries of the Mediterranean region are linked by their geography, they are also neighbours in other respects. They are faced with many common challenges ranging from the growth of migratory pressure to transnational criminal networks. The southern Mediterranean countries must be more resolutely and more openly involved in the regional economy but also in the world economy. The EU, it continues, must for its part be faithful to the spirit of the Doha Action Plan for development and continue market access liberalisation.
Given all these challenges, the Barcelona Process is, according to the Commission, a "major strategic asset", for which it analyses the past impact and future potential. As far as the past is concerned, "political dialogue has been rekindled" and the aim of a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area by 2010 has become clearer, while the Agadir initiative has given fresh impetus to continued South-South commercial integration. The setting in place of the network of association agreements has practically come to an end. Finally, MEDA, the main financial support instrument, has gained in effectiveness and is closer to meeting the needs of the Mediterranean partners. In general, significant progress has been accomplished over the last two years. The next stage should be focused on the following elements:
Political and security partnership: Consultation should be intensified in order to allow examination of "important political issues" and study the possibility of organising meetings at the level of the Political Directors. The fight against terrorism should be an essential element of the dialogue and a "common definition" of this term should be facilitated. "Operational measures" are being studied and then submitted to Valencia. On this chapter, however, it is not yet time to resume negotiations on the charter for peace and stability. Furthermore, the Commission hopes to be able to enter into greater discussion on the situation in the region with regards human rights and democracy, which "remains a source of concern", as, "except for Cyprus and Malta", the result is hardly satisfactory in the other Mediterranean countries. It is therefore determined that the subject be "systematically tackled" at all meetings and that the granting of financial aid (MEDA) be linked to progress made in these areas. In parallel, the Commission proposes to promote dialogue in judicial matters and in the fight against organised crime, illegal immigration and the trafficking of human beings, as well as dialogue on the management of legal migratory flows and the treatment of immigrants. Cooperation in these fields would bear witness to the new maturity in the closer Euro-Mediterranean relationship. The Commission is willing from this year on to launch a regional programme aimed at promoting justice, freedom and good governance.
Social, cultural and human partnership: The Commission places emphasis on the need to cooperate in these fields. It states that it has launched over 400 projects during the past three years, in areas such as the protection of the common cultural heritage, the audiovisual sector, the production of documentaries, the protection of archives and youth meetings, etc. It proposes many new avenues for projects and actions in favour of youth, education and the media.
Dialogue between cultures and civilisations: In order to consolidate dialogue, the Commission suggests working by giving preference to youth, education and the media. It proposes a "new approach" in the form of decentralised cooperation and also suggests setting up a Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the promotion of dialogue between the different cultures and civilisations.
Civil Society and partnership: Examination of the results shows there are mitigated feelings in this respect. The Commission proposes to launch an analysis aimed at defining the most economically effective way of supporting and increasing the involvement of the civil society, as soon as possible, in the development of the partnership.
According to the Commission, the social dimension deserves to be given greater attention. It therefore proposes two new initiatives, one concerning vocational training, and the other concerning the improved opportunities for women in economic life.
Economic and financial partnership: This chapter is consolidated by the conclusion of eleven of the twelve association agreements and by an "important initiative", the Agadir sub-regional process. "The conclusion, or the prospect of concluding association agreements with the European Union, was the main catalyst for economic change in the region", states the Commission, which calls for efforts to be doubled in order to exploit the economic potential provided by the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. For this, it is necessary to ensure continued South-South trade integration, preparation of free trade in services, improved market access in the agricultural sector, the development and the interconnection of infrastructures, harmonisation of free trade policies and regulations in the internal market, sustainable development and a high level of environmental protection, as well as a guarantee that the financial instruments work as they should.
Institutional aspects: As relations evolve, dialogue should be enlarged to a series of questions relating to sectoral policy, and should not be limited to foreign policy. However, the Commission gives a negative response to the Mediterranean partners who, on many occasions, have called for equal management of the process, of the timetables and of the selection of common projects. The EU has internal mechanisms allowing it to coordinate the positions of its Member States and to speak with a single voice. On the other hand, the differences between the Mediterranean partners have hitherto prevented them from having similar mechanisms. As long as this situation prevails, it will be difficult to imagine how any joint presidency could work effectively, states the Commission, which, however, agrees that the Euro-Mediterranean Committee's role as a body to pilot the partnership should be strengthened, albeit limited to review of the "acquis".