Brussels, 06/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - 13 Mediterranean rim countries, meeting in Spain on Monday 4 February at the CIHEAM (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies) Ministerial Conference, decided to “reflect on guidelines and cooperation which could nurture the Mediterranean Union in agriculture,” said French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier in a press release. He went on to say that the countries (Albania, Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey) had also agreed, with CIHEAM backing, to set up a working group, which countries may join on a voluntary basis, to determine the priority projects in agriculture and fisheries. Priority will be given to: the Mediterranean diet, health standards, and research and rural development.
Barnier set out the plan for a Mediterranean Union for his counterparts and discussed with them ways for genuine cooperation. “I particularly welcome the agreement by 13 Mediterranean rim countries, which gives fresh political impetus to our cooperation. This is the way the Mediterranean Union should work,” he commented after the meeting. (L.C.)