Brussels, 21/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 21 May, the Commission adopted a Communication on "Revigorating European Union Actions on Human Rights and Democratisation with Mediterranean Partners". The Commission, in fact, puts into a single text what was earlier included in the Barcelona Process and the bilateral association agreements. NGOs for protection of human rights and MEPs had regretted that the provisions of the agreements on this subject were too vague, which can explain the approach initiated by the Commission, which will present its new proposals - ten in all - at the Euromed ministerial conference on Monday and Tuesday next in Crete. It makes it an "essential element" of cooperation with the region's countries, but action will be geared to promoting human rights and democracy rather than to sanctions. The work of promotion will be supported by programmes involving the civil society and directly financed by MEDA.