Lisbon, 05/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - The EuroMed ministerial conference on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 November in Lisbon was preceded on the weekend by meetings of high level officials and experts in view of smoothing out differences on existing points of view (EUROPE 9535), which cannot, in any real sense of the word, be described as, “divergences”. These differences involved the description of the situation in the Middle East (references or not to the UN legal resolutions and initiatives such as the one presented by the Saudis and backed by the Arab world). They also involve (in a less acute manner), the formulation of a common assessment of the French Mediterranean Union project. There appears to be a move to water it down rather than throw it out. In the preliminaries there were also “bilateral” meetings between the European Troika and partner countries that began with the Palestinians and then with the whole of the Arab group and Israel.
On the Middle East and in the presence of the main protagonists in Lisbon, the mainstay is expected to be tackled on Monday evening during dinner between the ministers. The prospect of the US prepared international conference is expected to feed into the ministerial debates, in the knowledge that the Barcelona Process has consistently helped keep the dialogue open between Israel and the Arab countries, including Syria, which officially will not meet Israel in any context. On this subject, a few drafting details still need ironing out. Whatever happens, the points to tackle focus on the reference or not to the “road map” and the need to either make the “Arab initiative” into a key project or just one of the other subjects. Without going into the customary differences on how terrorism is defined (pertaining or not to the right to resist), it is expected that ministers will fully apply the code of conduct in the fight against terrorism adopted during the summit of Barcelona in 2005. A specific high level meeting is envisaged in Brussels on 11 November.
Beyond the praises paid to the virtues of the Barcelona Process, there is a wish to underline the scale of the dynamic that this process created, as well as its structure. The dialogue is gradually and increasingly covering cooperation in the areas of common interest. The formula envisaged will be that of “strengthened cooperation”, according to the European model, to be adapted to the specific constraints of the Euro-Mediterranean situation. Areas covered are: immigration - a ministerial will take place on 19 November in the Algarve - the environment and climate change, energy is planned for the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008 in Cyprus, as well as cultural ties. The restructuring of the Anna Lindh Foundation on cultural ties is one of the central subjects in the session agenda. Neighbourhood policy and financial resources for it implementation and deployment support, is also expected to be discussed.
Ministers' attention and that of senior officials will above all be focusing on the issue of working methods to implement in order to ensure parity, co-responsibility and greater efficiency and transparency in the process. Fundamental criticism from partner countries has usefully been transformed into structured discussions in a study group set up on the initiative of Malta. The Commission remains open to formulas that can ensure clearer parity management of the Euro-Med process. The study group began its work in May 2006 with the submissions of a working document elaborated under the guidance of the former Maltese minister, Alfred Zarb, who recommended the creation of a structure that was as light as possible. According to Zarb, parity can also be implemented by ad hoc involvement of officials from partner countries in the European decision making process on areas of shared concern. The possibility for rotating geographical areas for ministerial “sectoral” session meetings (energy, transport, Ecofin, agriculture) is envisaged and voluntary host countries would accede to a status of co-presidency, shared with the EU.
The second sensitive subject, the Mediterranean Union project of president Sarkozy. The Commission has been “questioned” by member states for having suggested this initiative to be taken into account among initiatives to strengthen Euro-Mediterranean ties. According to various sources that appear to back each other up, the final conclusions are only expected to refer to this project by way of a general formula that suggests concerns with regard to an unclear project rather than opposition to it and the aims that have still not been unveiled by France. France is also tending towards a watering-down and a kind of “G-Med” based on the “G8” formula of informal meetings without permanent structure. The Commission is expected to be involved in the management of what one diplomat was willing to call the “club” for meeting and exchanging ideas. It appears that the Commission is, in any case, totally reassured by the information (as was the Council) provided by a French diplomat. Alain Leroy, now in charge of preparatory contacts for the June 2008 summit proposed by Mr Sarkozy, explained that MU participation will be “geometrically variable”. Invitations will be to Mediterranean and Balkan neighbours. Portugal, an Atlantic country, will take part, Jordan will not. The latter, as well as Mauritania and non Mediterranean countries are invited as observers. The MU is therefore an “initiatives body” focusing on key areas and appealing for all financial means possible, including that from the EU. The only big happening planned, the “big cultural event” in the margins of the June summit, which former French minister Jack Lang will coordinate. (F.B.)