Brussels, 25/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Friday at their working lunch at the European Council, Heads of State and governments of the EU and their ministers of affairs, will discuss the strategic partnership between Mediterranean and Middle East countries. (based on an interim report presented to the General Affairs Council last Monday (EUROPE 24 March p 6). The interim report, which was prepared by the presidency and the CFSP High Representative in co-ordination with the European Commission, will be followed by a definitive report during the European Council of 17-18 June, following a consultation phase of the countries involved, between April and June. The interim report underlines that this consultation will play a key role as EU relations with countries in the region "will be built on consultation". The documents indicates that bilateral trade will be discussed at the Euro-Med ministerial conference on 5-6 May (Dublin), the EU/GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) 18 May (without counting the Arab League Summit on 29-30 March in Tunis, in which Javier Solana will be taking part: Editor's note). EU strategy reforms "cannot be imposed from outside", highlights the document, which adds "the key impetus for the movement is the high expectations of a predominantly young population - more than half of those living in the region are under eighteen. They need education and jobs. Political stability requires that these young people can achieve a stake in their society".
The interim report underlines that the EU implements this strategy essentially with the help of existing instruments (Barcelona process, which is expected to cover Libya as well, the new neighbourhood policy, cooperation with the GCC) but also if necessary , with new instruments. According to the report the EU should continue to develop its own strategy while "welcoming the opportunity to work with the USA" and co-ordinating with them (three summits are planned: G8 in Florida on 8-10 June, EU/US Summit 26 June in Ireland, NATO 28-29 June in Istanbul. Overall, the report notes that the EU commitment should be based on a series of objectives and principles, in line, in particular, with the European security strategy, and taking account of the security problems in the Union itself. The partnership will cover, above all, relations with North African and Middle Eastern countries and a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be a "strategic solution", explains the document, noting that progress in a process will not be a condition for progress in another process. The report is keen to point out that this partnership will be expected to involve a "long and sustained commitment".