Brussels, 03/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the EU Council approved a report to be forwarded to the European Council on 4 and 5 November on implementation of the EU's Common Strategy on the Mediterranean region adopted in June 2000, while recommending extension of the period of application of the strategy until January 2006. This, the Council notes, will allow relations with the region to be reviewed in light of the evaluation of the Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and Middle East adopted in June by the European Council, follow-up to the Barcelona process and the development, in 2005, of European Neighbour Policy.
The report lists a number of targets for this strategy, including Association Agreements with the countries concerned and the efforts to be made for developing political and security cooperation, and for promoting cultural and social partnership.