Lisbon, 07/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - Foreign affairs ministers from the Euro-Mediterranean area meeting on 5-6 November in Lisbon, welcomed developments in the Barcelona process and the progress made in 2007. They are seeking to enhance efforts in this sense in 2008. A detailed list of measures is included in the final declaration adopted (to a large extent with common agreement, except on the chapter on the Middle East, EUROPE 9537), of which two decisions are as follows: Albania and Mauritania's accession to the process (signatory of the Cotonou agreement) and the involvement of Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the process as guests.
“We did our best” declared the president of the Council of the EU in a reference to discussions on the peace process, which, according to Luis Amado and Javier Solana (the EU high representative for common foreign and security policy) was the subject of “frank discussions” at dinner on the evening of 5 November. Mr Solana affirmed that “this was the best dinner we have attended”.
On the peace process itself, ministers noted that in 12 years, the dialogue had become the rule, despite the conflict in the Middle East. The time will come to ensure more “visibility” to this “constructive dialogue” and to provide it with, according to Mr Amado, a “strategic structure”.
Measures to be taken cover a wide range of themes and priority sectors.
In the political domain there is cooperation in ESDP, the fight against terrorism, money laundering, the fight against crime and drug trafficking, and laying down “confidence measures”.
Within the economic field, there is still the objective of free trade by 2010, including services and in the long term, agriculture. Ministers welcomed the role played by the European Investment Bank (EIB), which manages the FEMIP (Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership), and underlined the need for cooperation in the environment, transport, energy and new technology sectors. They acknowledged the support provided through “neighbourhood policy” and confirmed the commitment to allocate €3.3bn (2007-13) in addition to the sum provided by FEMIP, as well as prospects for new financial instruments. Ministers say they also support economic development efforts and greater investment. The implementation of the Agadir agreement was welcomed.
In connection with the measures linked to social and cultural activities, 2008 will be the year of culture and Damascus will be the city of culture. The 2008 programme includes immigration, promotion of women and children, media, education and university exchanges. Ministers are encouraging the Anna Lindh Foundation in its restructuring efforts, and they also demonstrated a common interest in developing Euro-African relations
“The Sarkozy initiative”
In their declaration, ministers indicated that they would not reject any initiative that enhanced the dialogue set up 12 years ago. This involves an implicit allusion to the French Mediterranean Union project, which is considered as a possible “enhancement”. The French foreign affairs minister, on a flying visit during the evening of 5 November, followed by Ambassador Alain Leroy (in charge of implementing the Mediterranean Union project) explained what the objectives were in the project (EUROPE 9537). Nothing has really been decided at this point and the next Council of Ministers of the EU may debate these objectives. Everything appears to indicate that Paris had modified its initial approach, without, however, obtaining a reaction from its main detractor, Germany. The Netherlands have reportedly demonstrated an interest in participating in the initiative, as part of their population is of Mediterranean origin. Positions have not yet appeared that are clearly for or against the project, but according to one participant the project will be nothing more than a “melting pot”. Spain and Italy joined France in perfecting some of the outlines. In a declaration made to the Ansa press agency, a group of three ambassadors (one from each country) has been put in charge of this mission. The Italian minister also affirmed that his country is “absolutely for” the project, which appears to him to have been welcomed by most of the European Mediterranean neighbouring countries. According to the Portuguese minister, these latter countries will be provided with assurances that this project will be “in parallel to the Barcelona process” and that it will complement and compete with it. The head of Egyptian diplomacy, nonetheless, described the project as a “purely theoretical view”. (F.B.)