Events

Study Days of the EPP-ED Group

Malta - 4-6 July 2007


Summary of Theme II: EUROMED
Future Steps


We are going to focus on the quality of all our activities. Decisions need to be evaluated. We must do our homework", said Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament and Chairman of Theme II of the EPP-ED Group Study Days: Euromed - Future Steps.

"How do we see the Euromed more than 10 years after its initiation? The situation has evolved considerably since 1995", confirmed Michael Frendo, Maltese Minister of Foreign Affairs, who delivered the welcome speech. He urged the audience not to reduce the Euromed solely to the Middle East conflict. "The problem is very important but we should not lose sight of other issues. The whole area is integrating economically. Our ultimate goal is the attainment of a genuine free trade area, in the framework of the European Union Neighbourhood Policy. In some areas, progress is better, in some, it is worse", explained Frendo.

The Minister also called on Mediterranean states to engage more seriously in helping to build a European energy policy, as well as making more efforts geared towards fighting climate change. He put special emphasis on assisting in the development of future generations. "We should help young people to exchange their views on the world. Only the development of true dialogue can produce better understanding. This is essential not only for Europe or Euromed but for the whole world", underlined Frendo.

In his speech, Hatem Ben Salem, Tunisian Secretary of State for Europe, said: "Building peace is the most important goal for everyone within the Mediterranean area." He called for the development of a code of conduct regarding the fight against terrorism. "We should acknowledge that true war is going on before our very eyes. The most important task for us is to recognise the sources of terrorism. The European Union has to tackle this very difficult task", he stressed.

Dider Bouteiller, a European Commission expert on the coordination of financial instruments, recalled that EU support to the Mediterranean region would reach the sum of €18.5 billion over the period 2007-2013. In March, the European Commission adopted the Strategy Paper for Mediterranean states.

The programme consists of four priorities:

• promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law;
• supporting EU neighbours, economic reforms and promoting integration with the EU Single Market;
• contributing to conflict resolution in the EU's neighbourhood;
• promoting regional co-operation and integration.

After Mr Bouteiller''s speech, Othmar Karas MEP, opened the discussion with the participation, amongst others, of Michael Gahler MEP, Tadeusz Zwiefka MEP, John Purvis MEP, Christopher Beazley MEP, Margie Sudre MEP and Malcolm Harbour MEP. They focussed on the subjects raised by speakers Michael Frendo, Hatem Ben Salem, and Didier Bouteiller.

They discussed the lack of success of the Barcelona Process. Some speakers said that in the last ten years of the Barcelona Process, there was a lot of talk but not much action. Other topics under discussion were culture and education. Intercultural exchange is vitally important for fostering understanding, peace and development. Also the role of the EIB and the creation of a Euromed bank facility were discussed as well as the Black Sea dimension. Now that Bulgaria and Romania are Member States of the EU, the question is whether to integrate the Black Sea countries into the Euromed Policy.

Maltese Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said the Barcelona Process placed the Euro-Mediterranean dimension on the political agenda. This is extremely important at a time when the EU is focused mainly on the East and Middle European countries during the period of enlargement. This interest was very logical during the enlargement process, but now it is time, and in the interest of the EU as a whole, to fill the glass up. The Euromed process must become more visible in the Member States. For future security and stability and economic growth, it is very important to look at the Mediterranean area.

Tunisian Secretary of State for Europe, Hatem Ben Salem, said the high expectations at the start of the Barcelona Process were not met. He explained that the reasons behind the poor results are perhaps the focus placed on meetings and not on concrete projects and the implementation of policies. The process has become more and more political, with a lack of control measures. According to Mr Ben Salem, the partner countries should realise this and act upon it.

He agreed with Christopher Beazley’s remarks on more cultural dialogue. Culture is the basis of society and sharing basic ethical foundations is vital for peace. He also saw potential for cooperation regarding the information society. Much has already been achieved in this area and the development of the information society could be the engine for the economy.

Responding to questions regarding the European Investment Bank and the possible creation of a Euromed Bank, Didier Bouteiller said the EIB has a very cautious risk policy. The EIB''s actions should be better coordinated with EU programmes. The right balance is not always struck. Regarding the Euromed Bank, he said that in his view, a separate bank is not necessary and that the EIB should be sufficient.

Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP-ED Group and Coordinator of the Euromed Parliamentary Assembly, concluded the debate. He said that the time has come to act, not react. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation provides a very good network in the region and is willing to cooperate with the EPP-ED Group. The EPP-ED Group should identify projects in important policy areas such as water management, environment, and transport infrastructure. Mr Bonsignore also suggested an EPP-ED initiative of setting up a single labour market within the framework of a common migration strategy. We also have to deal with the prospects of the Euromed Free Trade Area which should be up and running by 2010. A great deal of attention must be given to south-south trade and not only to the EU-Med trade. Last but not least, we must make it clear to the outside world that another side to the Middle East also exists. The majority of its population is not anti-Western, but want to cooperate with the EU.


Eduard Slootweg, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-475-721280
Marcin Trojanowski, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-484-059521