FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
The Spokesperson of the Secretary General, High Representative for CFSP
+32 (0)2 281 6467 / 8239 / 5150 / 5151 +32 (0)2 281 5694
internet: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/solana
e-mail: presse.cabinet@consilium.europa.eu
COU CIL OF
THE EUROPEA U IO
Brussels, 4 ovember 2008
S354/08
Summary of remarks by
Javier SOLA A,
EU High Representative for the CFSP,
at the Ministerial Meeting of the
Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean
Javier SOLA A, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
(CFSP), participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Barcelona Process: Union for the
Mediterranean that took place in Marseille on Monday, 3 and Tuesday, 4 ovember 2008.
On Monday's working dinner, the Foreign Ministers had a discussion on the new institutional
governance of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean, that from now on will be
called "Union for the Mediterranean". Important decisions on the institutional structures of
the process ­ in particular on its secretariat that will be established in Barcelona ­ were taken
to allow the partners of both shores of the Mediterranean to work better together to face
common challenges.
On Tuesday, the plenary session was focussed on the concrete project areas on which the
partners will work in priority: de-pollution of the Mediterranean, maritime and land
highways, civil protection, alternative energies and the Mediterranean Solar Plan, higher
education and research, the Mediterranean Business Development Initiative. During the
working lunch, the Ministers discussed regional issues, including the Middle East Peace
Process.
The High Representative said: "Today we have made an important step forward. The world
in which we live today is a globalized world in which we need global solutions for the common
challenges we are facing. The Union for the Mediterranean will contribute to solve important
issues.
The qualitative change we have made today is very important and significant. We have six
good project areas. We have now the responsibility to work quickly and efficiently. We will
be judged on how we progress on those projects. It is very important to have adequate
mechanisms that allow 43 countries to adopt decisions swiftly."
______________
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Attached: Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean - Ministerial Conference - Marseille, 3-4
ovember, Final Declaration
3
FI AL DECLARATIO
MARSEILLE, 3-4 OVEMBER 2008
The Paris Summit of the `Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean' (Paris, 13
July 2008) injected a renewed political momentum into Euro­Mediterranean
relations. In Paris, the Heads of State and Government agreed to build on and
reinforce the successful elements of the Barcelona Process by upgrading their
relations, incorporating more co-ownership in their multilateral cooperation
framework and delivering concrete benefits for the citizens of the region. This first
Summit marked an important step forward for the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
while also highlighting the EU and Mediterranean partners' unwavering commitment
and common political will to make the goals of the Barcelona Declaration ­ the
creation of an area of peace, stability, security and shared prosperity, as well as full
respect of democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms and
promotion of understanding between cultures and civilizations in the EuroMediterranean
region ­ a reality. It was decided to launch and/or to reinforce a
number of key initiatives: De-pollution of the Mediterranean, Maritime and Land
Highways, Civil Protection, Alternative Energies: Mediterranean Solar Plan, Higher
Education and Research, Euro-Mediterranean University and the Mediterranean
Business Development Initiative.
Ministers propose that as from Marseille the "Barcelona Process: Union for the
Mediterranean'' should be called "Union for the Mediterranean".
Ministers decide that the League of Arab States shall participate in all meetings
at all levels of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean, therefore
contributing positively to the objectives of the process, namely the achievement
of peace, prosperity and stability in the Mediterranean region.
Ministers reaffirm their commitment to achieve a just, comprehensive, and
lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, consistent with the terms of
reference of the Madrid Conference and its principles, including land for peace,
and based on the relevant U SC resolutions and the Road Map. Ministers also
stress the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative and underline their support
for efforts to promote progress on all tracks of the Middle East Peace Process.
Ministers stress that the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean is not
intended to replace the other initiatives undertaken in the interests of the peace,
stability and development of the region, but that it will contribute to their success.
Ministers welcome the positive role played by the EU in the Middle East Peace
Process, notably in the framework of the Quartet. They reaffirm their commitment to
4
support the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in order to conclude a peace
treaty resolving all outsanding issues, including all core issues without exceptions, as
specified in previous agreements. They welcome the commitment of both parties to
engage in vigorous, ongoing and continous negotiations making every effort to
conclude a peace agreement based on the Annapolis process, as agreed in November
2007. They also encourage the parties to intensify their efforts on the path of direct
dialogue and negotiation in the fulfilment of the two states solution: a safe and secure
Israel, and a viable, sovereign and democratic Palestinian State, living side by side in
peace and security. Final status issues have to be agreed upon by the parties.
Ministers call on both parties to respect their commitment to immediately implement
their respective obligations under the performance-based Roadmap to a permanent
two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and call on the parties to refrain
from any measure that might prejudice the outcome of the negotiations.
Ministers welcome and support the indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria
under the auspices of Turkey and encourage all efforts deployed to achieve stability,
peace and security in the region.
Ministers welcome the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and
Lebanon.
Ministers reiterate their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations, regardless of the perpetrators, and their determination to
eradicate it and to combat its sponsors and reaffirm their commitment to fully
implement the Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism adopted in the
Barcelona Summit on 28th
ovember 2005 in order to enhance the security of all
citizens within a framework that ensures respect for the rule of law and human
rights, particularly through more effective counterterrorism policies and deeper
cooperation to dismantle all terrorist activities, to protect potential targets and
to manage the consequences of attacks. They also reiterate the complete rejection
of attempts to associate any religion, civilization or culture with terrorism and
confirm their commitment to do their utmost effort with a view to resolving conflict,
ending occupation, confronting oppression, reducing poverty, promoting human
rights and good governance, improving intercultural understanding and ensuring
respect for all religions and beliefs.
Ministers reaffirm their common aspiration to achieve peace as well as regional
security according to the Barcelona Declaration of 1995, which, inter alia, promotes
regional security by acting in favour of nuclear, chemical and biological nonproliferation
through adherence to and compliance with a combination of
international and regional non-proliferation regimes and arms control and
disarmament agreements such as NPT, CWC, BWC, CTBT and/or regional
arrangements such as weapons-free zones, including their verification regimes, as
well as by fulfilling in good faith their commitments under arms control, disarmament
and non-proliferation conventions.
5
The parties shall pursue a mutually and effectively verifiable Middle East Zone free
of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological, and their delivery
systems. Furthermore the parties will consider practical steps to prevent the
proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons as well as excessive
accumulation of conventional arms; refrain from developing military capacity beyond
their legitimate defence requirements, at the same time reaffirming their resolve to
achieve the same degree of security and mutual confidence with the lowest possible
levels of troops and weaponry and adherence to CCW; promote conditions likely to
develop good-neighbourly relations among themselves and support processes aimed
at stability, security, prosperity and regional and sub-regional cooperation; consider
any confidence and security-building measures that could be taken between the
parties with a view to the creation of an "area of peace and stability in the
Mediterranean", including the long term possibility of establishing a EuroMediterranean
pact to that end.
The Ministers welcome the dedication and interest expressed by three new members
of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean ­ Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Republic of Croatia and Montenegro, together with Albania, to add their efforts in
contributing to a successful integration of the Adriatic countries in the existing and
future initiatives and projects in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
I/ Institutional structures of the "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean"
Euro-Mediterranean Heads of State and Government agreed in Paris on 13 July 2008
to establish new institutional structures to contribute to achieving the political goals
of the initiative, especially reinforcing inclusive co-ownership, upgrading the political
level of EU-Mediterranean relations and achieving visibility through projects.
On the basis of the Paris Declaration adopted by and mandate received from Heads of
State and Government, Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Affairs Ministers approve the
following guidelines, in line with its scope and main objectives:
Co-presidency
1. The co-presidency shall apply to Summits, all Ministerial meetings, Senior Officials
meetings, the Joint Permanent Committee and, when possible, experts/ad hoc
meetings within the initiative.
2. The co-presidents will assume the co-presidency of the Partnership as a whole.
3. One of the co-presidents will be from the EU and the other from the Mediterranean
partner countries.
6
4. From the EU side, the co-presidency must be compatible with the external
representation of the European Union in accordance with the Treaty provisions in
force1
.
5. From the Mediterranean partners side, the co-president must be chosen by consensus
for a non-renewable period of two years.
6. The two co-presidencies will call and chair the meetings of the Barcelona Process:
Union for the Mediterranean.2
The co-presidencies will submit for approval the
agenda of the meetings.
7. The co-presidencies will conduct the necessary consultations with all partners,
leading to the adoption of common conclusions of Summit, Ministerial, and other
meetings when required3
, that shall be adopted by consensus, as well as consulting on
all other issues relevant to the good functioning of the Partnership.
Senior Officials
8. The Senior Officials are mandated to deal with all aspects of the initiative. They
will take stock of and evaluate the progress of the Barcelona Process: Union for
the Mediterranean in all its components including issues previously handled by
the Euromed Committee. Senior officials will continue to convene regularly in
order to prepare the Ministerial meeting, and submit project proposals to them
as well as the annual work programme for adoption.
9. The biennial Summits of Heads of State will endorse the strategic priorities of
the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean passed to it through
Foreign Ministers. Foreign Ministers mandate Senior Officials to approve
guidelines and criteria for assessing the merits of project proposals. In doing so,
the Senior Officials shall be guided by a broad, comprehensive and inclusive
approach to the projects, which could be mutually beneficial and aiming at the
prosperity of all.
They shall also uphold the principle that every project must:
- strive to contribute to stability and peace in the whole Euro-Mediterranean
region;
1
This includes the role of the Presidency and the European Commission in the external representation of
the EU.
2
If a State other than the two co-presidencies hosts a meeting, it will also co-chair the meeting.
3
Without prejudice to the consultations to be carried out within the EU in accordance with the relevant
Treaty provisions.
7
- not jeopardise the legitimate interest of any member of the Barcelona
Process: Union for the Mediterranean;
- take account of the principle of variable geometry;
- respect the decision of member countries involved in an ongoing project
when it is subject to further development.
10. In drawing up the agenda of the Senior Officials meetings, the co-presidencies
identify those items on which discussion is intended and items for information.
Delegations may submit particular items to the co-presidencies for inclusion in
the agenda.
Joint Permanent Committee
11. The Joint Permanent Committee will be based in Brussels. It will assist and prepare
the meetings of the Senior Officials and ensure the appropriate follow-up. The Joint
Permanent Committee will deal with issues previously handled by the Euromed
Committee that do not fall under the competence of the Senior Officials. The
Euromed Committee will thus be dissolved. The Joint Permanent Committee may
also act as a mechanism to react rapidly if an exceptional situation arises in the region
that requires the consultation of Euro-Mediterranean partners.
The Secretariat
12. The joint Secretariat will have a key role within the institutional architecture. The
Secretariat will:
- Give an impulse to this process in terms of identification, follow-up,
promotion of new projects and the search for funding and for implementation
partners.
- Work in operational liaison with all structures of the process, particularly with
the co-presidencies, including by preparing working documents for the
decision-making bodies.
- Have a separate legal personality with an autonomous status.
13. The mandate of the Secretariat is of a technical nature while the political mandate
related to all aspects of the initiative remains the responsibility of the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs and Senior Officials.
8
14. Tasks: The Secretariat will gather, within the project priorities, regional, subregional
or transnational project initiatives (from various sources such as
sectoral ministerial meetings, national or regional authorities, regional
groupings, private sector, civil society). The Secretariat shall examine project
initiatives and inform on their implementation to the Joint Permanent
Committee and the Senior Officials after close coordination with concerned
States and funding partners. Once approved, the Secretariat will work on the
basis of the guidelines to be set by Senior Officials, as mentioned above.
The Summit, the Foreign Affairs Ministers Conference, the appropriate
Euromed Sectoral Ministerial Meeting or the Senior Officials will instruct the
Secretariat to propose the necessary follow-up in terms of initiating the
promotion of the projects and the search for partners for their implementation.
The funding and implementation of projects will be pursued on a case-by-case
basis by the various interested partners according to their own procedures and
by ad hoc sub-groups, if necessary, with the assistance of the Secretariat. The
Secretariat will lead on monitoring and evaluation of projects implementation.
15. The Secretariat will inform the Joint Permanent Committee and report to the
Senior Officials.
16. The statute of the Secretariat will be adopted by Senior Officials (on the basis of
a proposal to be prepared by a drafting group of experts to be established for
this purpose4
) before the end of February 20095
, taking into account the legal
system of the country in which the Secretariat will be established. It will be a
lean Secretariat based on the following principles:
a. Composition: The objective is to achieve a sufficiently higher level of
involvement of all partners to increase co-ownership and participation.
There will be one Secretary General6
and five Deputy Secretaries
General7
. They are to be selected by consensus by Senior Officials
following proposals made by Euro-Mediterranean partners and on the
basis of a short list presented by the co-presidency and the Commission,
following consultations to be held with all partners. Their term of office
will be of 3 years. The term of office may be extended once for a
maximum of three years. The Secretariat will include seconded officials
from participants in the process to be appointed by the Secretary General
4
This drafting group will be composed as follows: host country, co-presidencies, incoming presidency,
European Commission and General Secretariat of the Council, and will be open to interested countries.
5
The EU position shall be agreed in advance in the relevant working group.
6
The Secretary General will be chosen among candidates from Mediterranean partner countries.
7
For the first term of office, the five Deputy Secretaries General will be from the following EuroMediterranean
partners: Palestinian Authority, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta. All the Euro-Mediterranean
partners are eligible for these posts on a rotational basis.
9
together with the Deputy Secretaries General on the basis of competence
and geographical balance.
b. Funding: The running costs of the Secretariat (support staff, equipment
etc) will be funded from an operating grant on a shared and balanced
basis by the Euro-Mediterranean partners, on a voluntary basis and the
Community budget. Funding from the Community budget will come
from existing resources within the E PI (and other relevant instruments)
within the Financial Framework ceilings. The Community funding will
need to follow the provisions of the Financial Regulation. The host
country will provide the premises of the Secretariat free of charge.
Seconded officials will be financed by their respective administrations
(possibly through a trust fund). Senior Officials shall adopt the annual
budget of the Secretariat upon proposal of the Secretary General and the
Deputy Secretaries General (revenue and expenditure of the Secretariat
including allocations of staff). Initial financial contributions shall be
made available as soon as the statutes are adopted so as to allow the
Secretariat to start functioning by May 2009. Funding provisions should
aim at ensuring an uninterrupted and regular working of the Secretariat
and reflect the EU and Mediterranean partners' co-responsibility of the
Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean.
c. The seat of the Secretariat will be in Barcelona. A Headquarters
Agreement between the host country and the Secretariat will ensure the
autonomous status of the latter, its legal personality to carry out its
activities and the status, privileges and immunities of the Secretariat and
its international personnel. The Headquarters Agreement shall be
concluded before May 2009.
On the matter of the governance of the Barcelona Process: Union for the
Mediterranean, Ministers decide to continue their consultations in line with the
mandate given by Heads of State and Government at the Paris Summit. Ministers
agree that delegations may submit their proposals to the French-Egyptian copresidency,
which undertakes to consult Heads of State and Government, notably
on the modalities for the establishment of the Secretariat and the new name for the
Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean.
Relations with Parliaments, local and regional authorities
The Ministers believe that the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly
(EMPA) reinforces the democratic legitimacy of the Partnership. They duly take
note of the EMPA recommendation adopted in Jordan on the 13th
October 2008.
The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean requires a strong
parliamentary dimension. Therefore the Ministers underline that the position of the
10
EMPA should be further consolidated and its work better articulated with the other
institutions of the Partnership.
The Ministers stress the need to promote the implementation of concrete action at
local and regional level. In this respect, they commend the Forum of Local and
Regional Authorities that was held on 22 and 23 June 2008 in Marseille. They also
duly take note of the Committee of Regions' opinion issued on 9 October 2008 and
the proposal to create a Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly. The
Assembly's members would represent EU local and regional elected officials and
elected officials from Mediterranean partner countries equally, similar to
parliamentary representation in the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.
The Ministers mandate the Senior Officials to consider the possibility of the
involvement of the EMRLA once it is established in the Partnership.
* * *
II ­ Work Programme for 2009
Important steps need to be taken in 2009 to implement the Barcelona Five-Year
Work Programme and the declaration of the Paris Summit in order to advance
the regional integration process. The following meetings are a proposed
indicative list for 2009:
* the 3rd
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Water,
* the 1st
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on sustainable development-
projects,
* the 6th
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Transport and Urban
Development,
* the 2nd
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Higher Education &
Scientific Research,
* the 6th
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Energy,
* the 4th
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment,
* the 2nd
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Strengthening the Role of
Women in Society,
* the annual Euro-Mediterranean Economic Transition conference,
* the 9th
FEMIP Ministerial Meeting,
11
* the 5th
Euro-Mediterranean ECOFIN Ministerial meeting,
* the 8th
Euro-Mediterranean Trade Ministerial Conference,
* the 1st
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Food Security, Agriculture
and Rural Development,
* the 1st
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Liberty and
Security,
* the 11th
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Foreign Affairs,
* the 1st
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Human Development.
III. Fields of cooperation to be pursued in 2009
A - Political and security dialogue
The political and security dialogue has focused on the following areas:
a. Regular review of the political situation in the Middle East.
b. Implementation of the Code of Conduct on countering terrorism. The
Ministers agree to build on the recommendations of previous international
and regional initiatives.
c. Deepening of the dialogue on ESDP and crisis management.
d. At the Paris Summit, the Heads of State and Government underlined their
commitment to strengthen democracy and political pluralism through
expansion of participation in political life and respect for all human rights
and fundamental freedoms.
e. The Ministers acknowledge that the deepening of regional dialogue on
joint cooperation, best practices and exchange of experience in the area of
elections has been further pursued at Senior Official level. Ministers
agreed that joint cooperation and exchange of experience could be
developed on a voluntary basis upon the request of any of the partners.
f. The Ministers have highlighted the role of the regional `Bridge
Programme (2004-2008) on Prevention, Mitigation and Management of
Natural and Man-made Disasters' and laid the foundations for a LongTerm
Programme, the Euro-Med Programme for the Prevention,
Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters - PPRD
(2008-2011).
12
B. Maritime Safety
The growing number of transit vessels, the increasing risks of accidents, the
persisting terrorist threat, the rise in organised crime and illicit trafficking,
especially drug trafficking, could tend to port infrastructures inefficiency and
jeopardise trade flows. To enhance cooperation, the creation of a centre to
coordinate the fight against drugs in the Mediterranean region could be
explored.
In 2009, a forum of Mediterranean Coast Guard Services and, as appropriate,
Maritime Services, could be organised. This event might represent an opportunity to
exchange experiences in the fields of marine and coastal environment protection from
pollution, as well as safety of navigation, maritime search and rescue and safeguard
of human life at sea. Italy is prepared to host this Forum.
Ministers recommend to study the possibility to develop initiatives in the
maritime domain, for instance the implementation of integrated Vessel Traffic
Management systems, systems for the management of intermodal transport and
sea ports, integrated systems for the management and control of environmental
risks and sea pollution with the participation of all willing and able
Mediterranean partners.
C - Economic and Financial Partnership
Energy
Participants at the last Euromed Energy Ministerial Meeting (Cyprus, 17 December
2007) agreed on a Five-Year Action Plan focusing on three main areas: (1) improving
harmonisation and integration of energy markets and legislation in the Euromed
region, (2) promoting sustainable development in the energy sector, and (3)
developing initiatives of common interest in key areas, such as infrastructure
extension, investment financing and research and development. Furthermore several
initiatives are being implemented such as the Euro-Mashrek gas cooperation, the
integration of electricity markets in the Maghreb, the trilateral energy cooperation
between the EC, Israel and the Palestinian Authority (including the Solar Energy for
Peace Initiative) and cooperation among Euromed energy regulators (Medreg). In this
context, a Ministerial meeting took place on 5 May 2008 in Brussels to discuss
enhancing energy cooperation in the Mashrek. Overall progress in the implementation
of the Action Plan Priorities is being monitored. Finally, alleviating energy poverty,
in the framework of the Millenium Development Goals, has to be achieved. The
outcome of these activities will lead to the third Ministerial Meeting hosted by
France.
Transport
13
The Regional Transport Action Plan (RTAP) for the Mediterranean, which was
approved by all representatives of beneficiary countries at the Euromed
Transport Forum held in Brussels on 29-30 May 2007, proposes 34 actions in a
number of areas including maritime transport, road transport, railway
transport, civil aviation, multi-modal transport and transport infrastructure
networks, as well as with respect to sustainibility issues. These actions are being
implemented by partner governments in the framework of their national policies
and strategies or at the multilateral level through cooperation and the exchange
of information. A meeting of the aviation working group and the ninth Euromed
Transport Forum are planned before the end of 2008. The Trans-European
etwork-Transport (TE -T) Workshop was held in Brussels on 14-15 October
2008.
Agriculture
Ministers recalled the importance of agriculture and rural developement in the
economy of the Mediterranean countries and in achieving food security.
Ministers agreed to convene an agriculture Ministerial meeting on these
subjects. This meeting should aim at identifying and promoting projects related
to sustainable rural developement, to the development and promotion of quality
products and the coordination of agricultural research on topics such as water
stress resistant plant species and water ressources management. This conference
should also support the pursuit and reinforcement of activities in the areas of
sanitary and phytosanitary norms.
Urban development
Sustainable Metropolitan and Urban Development are at the heart of the major issues
of the Mediterranean. Population growth and uncontrolled urban sprawl, concentrated
mainly on the coasts, are significant and have a negative impact on the Mediterranean
region's development. Sustainable Urban Development implies that governments,
developers and financiers to better anticipate future urban growth, need to better meet
the basic needs of populations (housing, transportation, access to water, electricity
and telecommunications) and integrate environmental constraints. This challenge
implies the involvement of regional authorities to define appropriate planning through
an integrated approach.
Water
The Euromed Ministerial Meeting on water will be held in Jordan. Ministers agree to
define the Strategy for Water in the Mediterranean along the lines decided by the
Heads of State and Government in the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean. They
encourage a swift implementation of partnerships in order to implement concrete
projects in line with the guidelines of the strategy.
Environment
14
The achievements since the Cairo Euromed Environment Ministerial Meeting
together with the regional (Euromed) environmental activities and efforts with
regard to the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean should constitute
the basis for the Environment Ministerial Meeting which is planned to be held in
2009.
The annual meeting of the Horizon 2020 Steering Group will be held along with
the meetings of each of the three sub-groups (pollution reduction, capacity
building as well as monitoring and research) in addition to meetings for the
transfer of know-how.
Studying the process of developing a harmonised maritime policy and promoting a
foreseeable maritime strategy for the Mediterranean shall take particular
consideration within the Euromed Partnership in 2009 and beyond. A sectoral
Euromed working group composed of national experts is clearly needed to formulate
the guidelines, visions, priorities, objectives, means of implementation and funding
mechanisms of such a policy, taking into account the variances between the Euromed
countries. The task should take place in complete coordination and cooperation with
both the competent regional and national entities to provide the guidance and
technical assistance.
According to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, climate change could adversely affect the environment and human
activities in the Mediterranean. Ministers recalled the need to intensify co-operation
on climate change through the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Climate
Change Network to provide the forum for the sharing of information and experience
as well as to build relationships in an informal working environment in support of
regional efforts to combat climate change. Euro-Mediterranean interaction on climate
change may lead to enhancement of capabilities of implementation of projects and
programmes of mutual interest.
Information Society
In the light of the Cairo Ministerial Declaration (28 February 2008), a new step is to
be launched in Euromed dialogue on issues relating to the Information Society.
Ministers agreed to intensify cooperation on regulatory issues for electronic
communications, the connectivity of service platforms and networks and ICT
research in areas such as multilingual e-content, e-learning, e-science, e-health, einclusion
and e-government.
A dedicated public website has already been set up by the Information Society
and Media Directorate General of the European Commission, based on the
Ministerial agreement to use ICT to enhance communication among countries in
the Euromed region by considering to create an electronic forum. The site is to
be progressively improved to help share information among EuroMediterranean
partners.
15
Ministers also agreed in the Cairo Ministerial Declaration that the Euromed
Forum on Information Society will carry out a mapping exercise to match
existing programmes on one side and identified priorities for the Euromed
region on the other. Starting this mapping process during 2009 will positively
accelerate the Euromed cooperation. It is also necessary to consider an
appropriate mechanism for the implementation and follow up of the outcomes of
the Ministerial meeting.
The Ministers also stressed the fundamental need to ensure interconnection of
research networks to support, inter alia, the creation of grid-enabled scientific einfrastructures
able to make ICT research and development cooperation between
Europe and the Mediterranean countries more efficient. They recognised the
fundamental role that EUMEDCONNECT played in interconnecting the National
Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in the region and with Europe, enabling
collaboration in multiple domains with high scientific and societal impact, and
considered it essential to guarantee the sustainability and promotion of the initiative.
A specific Action Plan will be prepared for approval at the next meeting of the
Euromed Forum of Senior Officials to be organised before the end of 2009. During
the "Summit of cities and local governments of the Mediterranean" held in Malaga on
2 and 3 October 2008, the reduction of the digital divide between the two shores of
the Mediterranean has emerged as a major challenge for ICT development with the
involvement of relevant local and regional entities.
Tourism
In accordance with the first Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Tourism
(Fez, Morocco, 2-3 April, 2008), Ministers agreed to take steps to prepare and
implement cooperation actions, particularly in the areas of vocational education and
training, cultural heritage, institutional capacity building, investment promotion and
statistics, drawing on existing programmes and in favour of sustainable development
of tourism. In this context, Ministers emphasised the paramount importance that
should be given to reinforcing the identification of investment opportunities as well as
the promotion of joint-ventures in the tourism sector. They reiterated the central role
of the private sector in this field, as the flow of investments to the tourist destinations
in Mediterranean Partner Countries constitutes an essential tool to further support and
develop this vital sector. They also invited FEMIP to mobilise its whole range of
financial instruments in order to foster the development of tourism and links with the
Mediterranean partner countries and called on tourism senior officials to meet in
order to prepare a Working Programme to be submitted to the next EuroMediterranean
Ministerial Meeting on Tourism in 2010.
Ministers recalled the need to examine the impact of the climate change phenomena
on the tourism sector in the Euro-Mediterranean region, and underlined that the
environmental pressures may severely impact coastal areas, in particular around the
Mediterranean.
16
Towards the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area
At the 7th Euro-Mediterranean Trade Ministerial Meeting held in Marseille on 2 July
2008, Ministers welcomed the ongoing work and instructed the Senior Officials to
present a Euro-Mediterranean Trade Roadmap up to 2010 and beyond at the 2009
Trade Ministerial. The work of the Senior Officials Working Group has focused on
how to diversify and enhance trade, to encourage industrial integration and European
investments in the Mediterranean countries. The ultimate aim is the establishment of
an ambitious, deep Euro-Mediterranean free trade area.
Bilateral negotiations with Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel on the liberalisation of
trade in services and the right of establishment, launched in 2008, will continue in
2009. Regional consultations will also be pursued in order to ensure the transparency
of bilateral negotiations and to prepare those Mediterranean partners with whom
bilateral negotiations have not yet been launched. Priority should be given to speed up
agreements on Conformity Assessment and Accreditation.
Bilateral negotiations will also continue on the establishment of a more efficient
dispute settlement mechanism for the trade provisions of the Association Agreements.
So far the agreement with Tunisia has been initialled and substantial progress made in
the bilateral negotiations with Morocco, which should lead to the initialling of the
agreement in the near future. Discussions are expected to continue with other
Mediterranean countries with a view to concluding the remaining bilateral protocols.
Important progress was achieved in the first half of 2008 in the negotiations on
further liberalisation of agricultural, processed agricultural and fisheries products, in
accordance with the Barcelona Declaration and the Rabat Euro-Mediterranean Road
Map for Agriculture. Negotiations were recently concluded with Egypt and Israel,
progress was made with Morocco and negotiations were launched with Tunisia.
The Ministers underlined the importance of strengthening capacity building and
institutional development in trade and trade-related matters, either through the
participation of Mediterranean Partners in certain EU programmes, agencies and
bodies or through enhanced and targeted technical and financial assistance to help
them to converge towards the trade-related acquis.
Economic dialogue
The 12th
Economic Transition Conference (Brussels, 20-21 February 2008) focused
on financial and banking services, which are at the heart of economic transition. The
Ministers propose concentrating discussions at the upcoming Conference in 2009 on
the international financial crisis. Ministers underline the importance of discussing the
issue of the food prices crisis in a relevant Ministerial meeting.
. The Euromed Network of Public Finance Experts was launched in 2008. The Terms
of Reference of the network, as endorsed by the Ministers of Economy and Finance in
Porto in 2008, identify three main areas for analysis: 1) fiscal consolidation as part of
a broader agenda for public sector reform, growth and employment; 2) the efficiency
17
and effectiveness of public expenditures; and 3) budget management systems and
institutions.
The first meeting of the network took place in Brussels in September 2008, back-toback
with the Senior Officials meeting to prepare part of the agenda for this year's
joint Euromed ECOFIN/FEMIP Ministerial. The next regular meeting of the
Euromed Network of Public Finance Experts is expected in the lead up to the 2009
Ministerial meeting.
Ministers agree to keep improving the legal framework with the view to facilitate
transfer and mobilisation of migrant remittances for long term investment in Southern
and Eastern Mediterranean countries.
Industrial Cooperation
The 7th
Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial meeting on Industrial Cooperation will take
place in France (Nice, 5-6 November 2008), following a conference on facilitating
industrial exchanges. The meeting will take stock of progress achieved so far, e.g. in
following up and implementing the Euromed Charter for enterprise, the facilitation of
industrial exchanges, innovation, regional dialogue on the future of the textile and
clothing sector and investment promotion. Sustainable industrial development will be
added to the traditional themes of discussion.
Further work could also be done on possible action to improve arbitration procedures
in the region, notably for SMEs, for example with the setting up of a Mediterranean
Court of Arbitration.
Ongoing work on statistics cooperation
Ministers take note of the important role of reliable statistics as an important factor in
decision making. The statistical services in the Mediterranean partner countries are
receiving technical assistance from the regional MEDSTAT II programme. The
programme will run until September 2009.
D - Social, human and cultural cooperation
Developing a genuine social dimension
The 2007 workshop on employment policy helped to enhance the understanding of
the challenges facing labour markets and employment policies in the context of
globalisation, technological evolution and demographic change The first Conference
of Employment and Labour Ministers (Marrakesh, 9-10 November 2008) will provide
a unique opportunity to develop a genuine social dimension in the partnership, based
on an integrated approach combining economic growth, employment and social
cohesion. Ministers will review socio-economic developments in the region and
examine concrete initiatives and proposals to promote employment creation,
18
modernisation of labour markets and decent work. Ministers should approve a
framework of action setting out key objectives in the fields of employment policy,
employability and decent employment opportunities. This framework will also
address important cross-cutting issues such as strengthening the participation of
women in the labour market, non-discrimination, the integration of young people
within the labour market, the transformation of informal into formal employment and
labour migration. Employment and Labour Ministers should also approve an effective
follow-up mechanism, with reporting on national progress and exchange of practices.
Successful social and employment policies require the involvement of all relevant
stakeholders, namely the social partners. In this connection, the cooperation of social
partners across the Euro-Mediterranean region should be further developed.
Ministers underline the commitment to facilitate legal movement of individuals
and acknowledge that this has an important impact on the social dimension of
the partnership. For this purpose, Ministers mandate Senior Officials to identify
ways and means to implement this objective.
Health
The second Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Health will take place in
Egypt on 17 November 2008. The Ministerial meeting will discuss means to
strengthen the health dimension of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in order to
promote sustainable development in the Mediterranean region by improving all
aspects of human health.
Human Development
The Ministers reiterate the importance of human development in the Barcelona
Process: Union for the Mediterranean and they mandate the Senior Officials to
prepare for the first Ministerial Meeting on Human Development due to be held in
Morocco in 2009 or 2010.
Towards a Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education and Research Area
The inauguration of the Euro-Mediterranean University in Slovenia (Piran, 9 June
2008) marked an important step in building cultural and educational bridges between
the North and South of the Mediterranean. This achievement will certainly encourage
cooperation in higher education, following up the objectives of the Catania Process
and the First Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Higher Education and
Scientific Research (Cairo, June 2007).
Ministers look forward to the implementation and follow up of the Cairo
Declaration by reinforcing the role of the Monitoring Committee for EuroMediterranean
Cooperation in RTD (MOCO) and the prompt creation of an
expert group on Higher Education with a precise mandate to realize the
objectives and actions of the Declaration.
19
Ministers consider that particular attention should be given to further promoting
academic mobility, enhancing quality assurance mechanisms and to issues concerning
the recognition of degrees and study periods which may lead to the development of
joint degrees between institutions in European and Mediterranean countries. A second
meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific
Research should be convened in the second half of 2009, once the results of projects,
conferences, studies and other activities under the new Tempus IV, Erasmus Mundus
I and Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows programmes are available.
Promoting dialogue between cultures, cultural diversity
2008 has been a very important year for the cultural dimension of the EuroMediterranean
Partnership. The third meeting of Euro-Mediterranean Culture
Ministers (Athens, 29-30 May 2008), which took place during the 2008 European
Year of Intercultural Dialogue and the Euro-Mediterranean year of dialogue between
cultures, has launched a political process that should lead to a new EuroMediterranean
Strategy on Culture in two years time. This Strategy will be built
around two distinct, but interlinked components: dialogue between cultures and
cultural policy. Ministers also agreed to establish a follow-up mechanism for drawing
up the Strategy, which will include the establishment of a Euromed Group of Experts
on Culture. This ad hoc group should meet twice during 2009 and possibly once in
2010 ahead of the next meeting of Euro-Mediterranean Culture Ministers.
Ministers agree that the following areas for action should be given consideration and
further explored: condemnation of trafficking and trade in cultural property and
treasures that have been illicitly acquired through illegal excavations and pillaging of
monuments in the light of the relevant UNESCO Convention of 1970. Ministers
welcome as well the establishment of a network for recording and documenting EuroMediterranean
underwater cultural heritage based on the exchange of best practices.
Following the revision of the statutes and the appointment of its new leadership, the
Anna Lindh Foundation for Dialogue between cultures has been further strengthened.
Henceforth, the Foundation will consolidate its capacity to promote intercultural
dialogue, diversity and mutual understanding and raise its profile as a bridge between
Euro-Mediterranean cultures, religions and beliefs, in cooperation with the UN
Alliance of Civilisations. The partnership welcomes the observatory role that the
Foundation is intended to play and the annual reports to be produced.
The new Euro-Med Heritage Programme, centred on the appropriation of cultural
heritage by local populations, access to knowledge of cultural heritage and
institutional and legislative strengthening got under way in 2008. The launching
conference for the Euro-Med Heritage IV programme will be held at the beginning of
2009 in Marrakesh.
The audiovisual media and cinema as well as the promotion of cultural heritage and
contemporary culture are excellent vehicles for intercultural dialogue between the
Euro-Mediterranean countries. On the basis of the previous Euromed Audiovisual
20
programmes and the new strategy to enhance the Mediterranean audiovisual sector,
approved at the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial meeting on Culture in 2008, a new
Euromed Audiovisual Programme could be launched in 2009.
Ministers welcome the initiatives launched by the COPEAM. These are the Terramed
project, aiming at creating a TV satellite channel for the Mediterranean, and the
setting-up of an internet portal on the audiovisual heritage of the Mediterranean.
Justice and Law
The Euro-Mediterranean area has the ambition to fully respect freedom, security and
justice, rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and respect for international
conventions.
Practitioners, universities and legal actors will work to facilitate best practices and
ensure, in the interests of the rule of law, the proper execution of conventions and
judicial decisions and awards, including their participation in a network on a national
and Euro-Mediterranean level.
The two other components of the regional Programme on Justice and Home Affairs
(2008-2011), namely cooperation in the field of Justice (Euro-Med Justice II) and the
Police (Euro-Med Police II), have also started their activities.
Strengthening the role of women in society
As part of the follow up to the Istanbul Ministerial Conference held in 2006 on
"Strengthening the Role of Women in Society" and in view of a second Ministerial
Conference in 2009 to be held in Morocco, Ministers encourage further concrete
initiatives to accelerate the implementation of the Istanbul conclusions. A possible
outcome could be a concrete set of joint activities in all fields approved in the
Istanbul Ministerial Conclusions. In order to prepare for the coming Ministerial
Conference, two working groups should be organized during 2009. Following the
first thematic working group on "Women's Participation in Political Life" that was
held in Brussels in 2008, another thematic working group will be organised to
complement all the pillars agreed in the Istanbul Ministerial on "Women's Social
Rights and Sustainable Development" and "Women's Rights in the Cultural Sphere
and the Role of Communication and the Mass Media". The other working group will
prepare the ministerial meeting.
EuroMed Youth
21
Euromed cooperation in the field of youth will be enhanced by entering a new phase.
The Euro Med Youth IV Programme will continue to run in conjunction with the
Youth in Action Programme, both of which share similar objectives, such as
promoting mobility, active citizenship, non-formal learning and mutual understanding
among young people as well as supporting youth organisations.
Cooperation with civil society and local actors
Civil society should be further empowered and its capability enhanced through
improved interaction with governments and parliaments. To this end, a new regional
programme has been launched in 2008 aiming at strengthening the role of civil
society. Furthermore, Ministers take note of the recommendations of the Marseille
Civil Forum (31 October-2 November) and acknowledge the important contribution
of the Euromed non-governmental platform. Efforts to organise subsequent Civil Fora
should be encouraged by all partners.
Ministers acknowledge the important role and the contribution of the Economic and
Social Councils and Similar institutions and take note of the conclusions of the
Euromed Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions, held in
Rabat on 14-16 October 2008.
Enhancing the visibility of the Partnership
Ministers underline that the visibility of the Partnership is vital for its public
understanding and acceptance, as well as its accountability and legitimacy. They
acknowledge that the second Regional Information and Communication Programme
aims to enhance people's understanding of these relations through a variety of actions
and activities. The four components of the new programme cover media activities,
journalist training and networking, campaign support and opinion polling/surveys.
The launching conference for the Programme will take place in the first half of 2009
with the participation of the main media in the region.
Furthermore, Ministers encourage continuing efforts to promote the different aspects
of media development in the region. The Euromed and Media consultations will
continue through the activities of its Task Force and networks (media, journalism
schools and gender). Seminars and workshops will cover media-related issues in
reporting terrorism, gender, dialogue between cultures and freedom of the press.
Migration
Ministers recalled that the issue of migration should be an integral part of the regional
partnership and its related challenges namely legal migration, migration and
development and the fight against illegal migration, as laid down in the agreed
conclusions of the 1st Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on Migration,
Albufeira, 18-19 November 2007, need to be addressed through a comprehensive,
balanced and integrated approach. In this regard, some initiatives have begun to be
22
implemented this year with the launching of the regional Euro-Med Migration II
Programme (2008-2011).
They underline the commitment to facilitate legal movement of individuals. They
stress that promoting orderly-managed legal migration in the interest of all parties
concerned, fighting illegal migration and fostering links between migration and
development are issues of common interest which should be addressed through a
comprehensive, balanced and integrated approach.
IV. State of progress in the implementation of projects listed in the Annex to the
Paris Declaration
Ministers reviewed the progress made in implementing the priority projects selected
by Heads of State and Government in the Paris Declaration.
A ­ De-pollution of the Mediterranean
Ministers welcome the progress on de-pollution of the Mediterranean, especially
regarding a Mediterranean water strategy as well as actions taken to address climate
change impacts.
At the joint Euro-Mediterranean ECOFIN and FEMIP Ministerial meeting, ministers
agreed that FEMIP will in 2009 organise a conference addressing the theme of
sustainable water financing including issues such as water infrastructure, water
services, water efficiency, private sector involvement and environmental standards.
The results of the upcoming Water Ministerial Conference, together with the
achievements since the third Euromed Ministerial Meeting on Environment (Cairo),
should form the basis for the next Environment Ministerial Meeting planned for 2009.
The Ministerial meeting will take note of a list of concrete projects on both sides of
the Mediterranean related to integrated water management and will identify further
projects linked to the Water Strategy in the Mediterranean. The annual meeting of the
Horizon 2020 Steering group will be held along with meetings of each of the three
sub-groups (pollution reduction, capacity building and review monitoring and
research). The questions of mitigation/adaptation to climate change, biodiversity
protection and conservation of the Mediterranean seabed will be considered. France is
prepared to host the relevant ministerial meeting.
B - Maritime and Land Highways
23
As a follow-up to the Paris Summiťs decision to develop a "Motorway of the
sea" project, an expert group held two meetings on 17 July 2008 and on 17
October 2008. In these meetings, concrete and pilot projects were presented and
support for their full implementation is being sought. The outcome of all these
activities will lead to a Ministerial Conference to be hosted by Greece in 2009.
C - Civil Protection
The Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters
Programme (PPRD) will contribute to the development of stronger prevention,
preparedness and response capacities in civil protection at international, national and
local level. It will also aim to bring the Mediterranean Partner Countries
progressively closer to the European Civil Protection Mechanism and the envisaged
European civil protection network against disasters Furthermore, the joint Civil
Protection project on prevention, preparation and response to disasters is one of the
main priorities for the region. Therefore the development of the Euromed Programme
for the PPRD (2008-2011) is a matter of urgency. The collaboration between the civil
protection institutions in the EU member states and the Mediterranean Partner
countries for strengthening the cooperation in the field of training and on operational
level is suggested.
D - Alternative Energies: Mediterranean Solar Plan
The Euromed Expert Group, reporting to the Euromed Energy Forum, met on 7
October 2008, reviewed progress achieved and agreed on future actions, which
should further develop the decision of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean, to
launch a Mediterranean Solar Plan focused on market deployment as well as research
and development of all alternative sources of energy. An expert workshop organised
by Germany in cooperation with France, on the potential and cost of different
renewable energy technologies and aspects of a future Master Plan, took place on 28-
29 October in Berlin. A conference, organised by France and Egypt in cooperation
with Germany and Spain, will convene on 22 November in Paris to discuss financing
and project implementation of the Mediterranean Solar Plan. An Immediate Action
Plan (IAP) could be agreed to list concrete and pilot projects to be launched in 2009-
2010. The aim is to launch three power stations of 20MW in 2009.
E - Higher Education and Research, Euro-Mediterranean University
The inauguration of the Euro-Mediterranean University in Slovenia (Piran, 9 June
2008) marked an important step in building cultural and educational bridges between
the North and South of the Mediterranean. This achievement will certainly encourage
cooperation in higher education, following up the objectives of the Catania Process
and the First Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Higher Education and
24
Scientific Research (Cairo, June 2007). Through a cooperation network of partner
universities and other institutions in the Euro-Mediterranean region, the EuroMediterranean
University will provide study, research and training programmes, and
thus advance the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education Science
and Research Area.
In this context, and in the spirit of co-ownership among all Euro-Mediterranean
partners, Ministers welcome the Moroccan initiative to host a university with EuroMediterranean
vocation in the city of Fez, complementary to the Euro-Mediterranean
University in Slovenia. This will provide opportunities for fruitful exchange among
students, researchers and universities from Euro-Mediterranean countries, thus
contributing to giving full substance to the concept of dialogue between cultures by
investing in new human capabilities and cultural exchanges.
The Ministers consider that particular attention should be given to further promoting
academic mobility, enhancing quality assurance mechanisms and to issues concerning
the recognition of degrees and study periods which may lead to the development of
joint degrees between institutions in the EU and Mediterranean partner countries.
They welcome the initiative already proposed by relevant institutions, notably in the
field of medicine and law. The ad hoc working group on higher education, which was
convened for the first time on 5 June 2008, will facilitate mutual cooperation in these
priority areas and prepare the second meeting of the Euromed Ministers of Higher
Education and Scientific Research. The meeting should be convened in the second
half of 2009, once the results of activities under the new Tempus IV, Erasmus
Mundus I and Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Windows programmes are
available.
F - The Mediterranean Business Development Initiative
The 8th
FEMIP Ministerial Meeting (Luxembourg, 7 October 2008) agreed to
organise a conference focusing on financial assistance to SMEs in 2009. It also
highlighted the importance of the Mediterranean Business Development Initiative
aiming at assisting the existing entities in partner countries operating in support of
micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by assessing the needs of these
enterprises, defining policy solutions and providing these entities with resources in
the form of technical assistance and financial instruments and based on the principle
of co-ownership. Contributions by countries from both rims of the Mediterranean will
be done on a voluntary basis. Italy is candidate to host an informal meeting in Milan
involving Governments, the private sector and experts focused on promoting
economic cooperation in the Mediterranean.
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean will
meet in the second half of 2009 in order to take stock of the progress achieved in the
25
implementation of the working programme for 2009, and the projects agreed and in
particular the key initiatives as agreed at the Paris Summit, as well as prepare for the next
summit in 2010.
_____________________________________
Interpretative Declaration by the CoPresidency
of the Union for the Mediterranean
With regard to the second indent of paragraph 9 of the Marseille Declaration, the
co-presidency considers that the invocation by a State of its legitimate interests to
oppose the implementation of a project must be assessed by all the States of the
Union for the Mediterranean.
_____________________________________