| FIFTH EURO-MEDITERRANEAN
CONFERENCE
OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
Valencia, 22-23 April 2002
1. The 5th Conference of Euro-Mediterranean Foreign
Ministers held in Valencia on April 22nd and 23d took place against
the background of the highest levels of tension in the region in
recent times. Under these difficult circumstances, the Ministers
stressed the need for an increased dialogue and the relevance of
the principles and objectives agreed in the Barcelona Declaration
in 1995 to make the Mediterranean a region of peace and stability,
development and common prosperity, cooperation and understanding
between cultures and civilisations.
2. The Ministers agreed that the tragic situation
in the Middle East demands to be addressed both in an urgent manner
and with a longer term perspective. In this sense they stressed
the value and the need for the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership as
an essential framework of dialogue and cooperation, a true meeting
point of different cultures and civilisations. To make this diversity
a factor of enrichment is one of the Partnership's most decisive
challenges.
3. The Ministers agreed that, after the reinvigorating
of the Barcelona Process in Marseilles, Valencia must mark the starting
of a new phase six years after its launching. The challenges of
the EU enlargement, the events of September 11 and the serious developments
in the Middle East and other structural changes in the international
scene make the Barcelona Process more necessary than ever. The moment
is now right to demand a renewed mutual commitment which will contribute
to regional stability and peace and give a greater depth to the
Euro-Mediterranean partnership. A tangible reinforcement of the
sense of ownership of the Process by all partners was underlined
and concrete initiatives to this end were agreed.
4. In order to have a working programme, in which
the many different initiatives and commitments are clearly specified,
the Ministers adopted an Action Plan that, taking into account the
globality of the Process, covers the three chapters and institutional
provisions. This document has been elaborated after extensive consultations
with all partners which included visits conducted by the Presidency,
jointly with the Commission and the Council General Secretariat
to Mediterranean capitals. The Valencia Action Plan includes a number
of initiatives in a short and medium term perspective to give a
political impetus to the Process and to make it advance substantially
in the pursuit of the objectives of the Barcelona Declaration. It
reflects the principles of co-ownership visibility, efficiency and
credibility of the Barcelona Process and will be provided with adequate
follow-up and implementation mechanisms.
5. Among the initiatives adopted in the Valencia
Action Plan, some relevant features can be emphasised:
- In the political and security chapter and in the institutional
provisions, the Ministers agreed to reinforce political dialogue,
including on defence matters, agreed upon a common approach on dialogue
and cooperation in the fight against international terrorism; a
deepening of the dialogue on Human Rights and drew up the main lines
of future work on Partnership Building measures.
- The Ministers reiterated their firm political commitment to democracy,
human rights and rule of law in the region and agreed to further
develop the parliamentary dimension of the Partnership. They welcomed
the holding of the meeting of the Speakers of the Euro-Mediterranean
Parliaments in Athens last February, recognised the value of the
existing Euro-Med Parliamentary fora and agreed to recommend the
creation of a Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly as proposed by the
European Parliament.
- In the economic and financial area, Ministers agreed on the need
to increase investment in order to promote growth and employment
around the Mediterranean. They welcomed the decision to create a
reinforced Facility within the EIB to mobilize resources in particular
for private sector investment. In this respect, the Presidency took
note of the strong support voiced by Mediterranean partners for
the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Bank.
- Building on the conclusions of the meetings of Trade and Industry
Ministers, the Conference asked that a close follow-up be given
in the framework of the Action Plan , especially on the harmonization
of rules of origin and in the areas of investment promotion, regional
integration, liberalization of services, regulatory reform and access
to new technologies. The Ministers also welcomed the Greek proposal
to hold a Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Energy.
- The Ministers welcomed the progress made in the Agadir process
and reiterated their strong support for similar sub-regional initiatives.
The EU renewed its offer to provide technical assistance to these
initiatives. Furthermore, Ministers reaffirmed that sustainable
development should be included among the guiding principles of the
Barcelona Process and welcomed in this respect, the forthcoming
Conference of Environment Ministers in Athens next July.
- On the social, cultural and human dimension of the Partnership,
the Ministers expressed their conviction that the construction of
the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership needs the participation and the
engagement of the Governments as well as of the societies and all
the relevant actors, emphasising in this sense the need to take
full advantage of the possibilities offered by the Third Chapter
of the Barcelona Declaration in all its different areas.
- After intensive work, a Framework document was endorsed with
a view to implement a regional cooperation programme in the field
of Justice, in combating drugs, organised crime and terrorism as
well as cooperation in the treatment of issues relating to the social
integration of migrants, migration and movements of persons.
- Against the background of the current international situation,
the Ministers stressed the importance of promoting dialogue and
cooperation between cultures and civilisations.
To this end, Ministers agreed to the principle of creating of
a Euro-Mediterranean Foundation to promote further dialogue between
cultures and civilisations and to increase the visibility of the
Barcelona Process through intellectual, cultural and civil society
exchanges.
- Ministers welcomed the adoption of the Action Programme for the
Dialogue between cultures and civilisations, which includes important
initiatives in the fields of youth, education and media.
- Ministers also welcomed the extension of the Tempus Programme
for inter-University co-operation to the Mediterranean partners
and will permit Universities to become active Partnership actors
and to contribute to the widening of educational offers adapted
to the demands of labour markets.
6. The Ministers discussed the latest developments
in the Middle East. They expressed their grave concern at the present
situation, which involves serious risks for regional security and
is leading to a grave humanitarian crisis. Violence, destruction,
suffering, human rights violations and bloodshed have continued
to increase in the region, reaching an unprecedented level last
weeks. They expressed their condemnation of terrorism and violence
and deplored the loss of human lives and extended their deepest
sympathy to the families of those killed and wounded.
7. Ministers stressed that there is not a military
solution to the conflict and reaffirmed that UNSCR 1402 must be
fully implemented immediately, as called for in UNSCR 1403, with
a view to start negotiations and reach, within a well defined timeline,
a political solution based on UNSCR 242, 338 and 1397 and on the
principles of the Madrid Conference, Oslo and subsequent agreements,
and taking into account other initiatives, like the Arab initiative
referred to in paragraph 9, which would allow two States, Israel
and Palestine, to live in peace and security and play their full
part in the region.
The negotiations should lead to the creation of a democratic, viable
and independent State of Palestine, bringing to an end the occupation
of 1967, and the right of Israel to live within secure and recognized
boundaries, guaranteed by the commitment of the international community.
The end of the conflict requires agreed solutions to all aspects
of permanent status issues.
Comprehensive peace must also include Syria and Lebanon on the
basis of the same principles.
8. Ministers urged immediate implementation of
UNSCR 1405 so that humanitarian and medical organizations and agencies
are allowed unrestricted access to the Palestinian populations,
which are facing a dire humanitarian situation. They welcomed the
initiative of the Secretary General to develop accurate information
through a fact finding team regarding events in the refugee camp
in Jenin.
9. The Ministers warmly welcomed Saudi Crown Prince
Abdullah's peace initiative, as endorsed in Beirut by the Summit
of the Arab League, as a significant framework towards a comprehensive
peace.
Other initiatives, like the Abu Ala- Peres, were also mentioned
by Minister Peres.
10. The Ministers warmly welcomed the Joint Statement
by he Quartet made in Madrid the 10th of April. They stressed the
need for a sustained and concerted international action in the search
of peace and look forward for further steps by the quartet. Different
views on the possibility of an international conference were expressed.
11. The Ministers noted the general conviction
that a third party monitoring mechanism would help both parties
in their efforts and urged them to consider proposals to accept
observers. The need for international peace keeping forces was underlined
by several delegations.
12. The Ministers called on the international
community to preserve, strengthen and assist the Palestinian Authority,
including through efforts to rebuild its infrastructure, security
and governance capacity. They called also on the donor community
and the international financial institutions to renew their commitment
and urgently mobilise resources to provide urgent humanitarian assistance
to the Palestinian people, and to assist in economic and institutional
reconstruction, in the context of the promotion of regional development
and economic integration.
The normalization of trade flows, transfers and economic conditions
in the Palestinian territories are an essential dimension of the
recovery of the Palestinian economy.
13. In conclusion of the debate, the Presidency
called on the authorities of Israel to halt its military operations,
to immediately withdraw its military forces from Palestinian cities,
in particular Bethleem and Ramallah, including the headquarters
of President Arafat, whose personal security and freedom of movement
must be respected and guaranteed. A peaceful solution must be also
found for the situation in the Nativity Church. It called for the
full respect of International Humanitarian Law.
It called upon the Palestinian Authority and President Arafat,
as the recognised elected leader of the Palestinian people, to act
decisively and take all possible steps within its capacity to fight
terrorism, in particular suicide bombs, and to stop incitement to
violence. To be successful, fight against terrorism must include
the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and financing.
14. On the occasion of the Valencia Ministerial
Conference, and in the presence of President Buteflika of the Algerian
Republic and President Aznar of the Government of Spain , the ceremony
of signing the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with Algeria
took place. They welcomed the signature to come in the next weeks
with Lebanon and the entry into force of the Association Agreement
with Jordan on May 1st. The conclusion of eleven of the twelve Association
Agreements thus opens a new stage in Euro-Mediterranean relations
and most partners are now embarked on a process which will lead
to the progressive establishment of a free trade area in the region.
15. The EU Presidency welcomed the Libyan delegation
to the Valencia Conference. Taking into account Libya´s role
in the Mediterranean region and in the African continent, the EU
Presidency hopes Libya will fully contribute to the relaunching
of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. It also welcomed the presence
of other Special guests of the Presidency: Arab League, UMA and
Mauritania.
16. The Conference regretted the absence of Syria
and Lebanon but showed respect for their decision. The Presidency
expects that both countries will continue their cooperation within
the framework of the Barcelona Process.
17. The Ministers took note of the final report
of the Civil Forum which took place April 12 and 13 in Valencia
and of the efforts undertaken to assure continuity in the works
of the civil forums. They encouraged actors in civil society to
reinforce their contribution towards the fulfilment of the objectives
of the Partnership.
18. The Ministers concluded that the Valencia
Conference provided the opportunity for a full, frank and constructive
discussion of what has been achieved since Barcelona, what problems
have been encountered and what solutions found. The Barcelona Process
is now sufficiently well established and resilient for the participants
to be able to engage in an open dialogue on all issues of mutual
concern. The Presidency took note of the wishes of partners to improve
the visibility of the Process by increasing public awareness of
its activities.
* * *
The Ministers welcomed the proposal put forward by Greece to host
a Ministerial Meeting during the first half of 2003. The VI th Euro-Mediterranean
Conference of Foreign Ministers (Barcelona VI) will take place in
the second half of 2003 during the Italian Presidency.
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