Brussels, 20/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - The EIB is calling on EU countries and those in the Mediterranean to devise a regional development strategy for transport infrastructure. It underlines that in the Mediterranean, half of all external trade is done between neighbouring countries and the development of transport is a powerful vector for development and regional integration. The bank wants to create a “transport network” and help finance it. To this end it is organising a Euro-Mediterranean transport conference on 9-10 November in Monaco, which European Commissioner Jacques Barrot will be attending. Representatives from governments and the private sector are invited to reflect on the conditions practiced in such a programme and which will be supported by way of the financial instrument, FEMIP, managed by the EIB. For more information: (http: //http://www.bei.org/femip/conference ). (fb)