| PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS
FOR THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN MEETING
OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
(THE HAGUE, 29-30 NOVEMBER)
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The Euro-Mediterranean Meeting of Foreign Ministers
in The Hague, 29-30 November, took place at a time of increasing
engagement between the EU and the Mediterranean partners. Ministers
confirmed that the Barcelona Process, enhanced by the European Neighbourhood
Policy, is the main initiative for the Mediterranean in which the
EU and the Mediterranean partners jointly participate. The Barcelona
Process, enhanced by the European Neighbourhood Policy, is the central
instrument for partnership and dialogue for the Mediterranean, which
in its turn, will lead to achieving the objectives of the political,
social and economic reforms generated from within the societies
concerned as also stated in the EU Strategic Partnership with the
Mediterranean and the Middle East. The meeting in The Hague was
the second Ministerial Meeting between Barcelona VI (Naples) and
Barcelona VII (Luxembourg), which underlines the importance given
to the Partnership by its Members. It not only conducted the traditional
stocktaking of progress, but additionally launched the preparation
of the tenth anniversary, which falls in November 2005. In that
context, Ministers agreed that a comprehensive review of the process
should be put in hand to be submitted to Ministers at Luxembourg
for approval, which should provide basis for decisions on the future
of the process. In this context Ministers decided that 2005 will
be the Year of the Mediterranean.
.
2. The meeting has sent a strong message of the
shared commitment of Europe and the
Mediterranean partners to the Barcelona Process, enhanced by the
European Neighbourhood Policy, for achieving peace, stability and
prosperity in the Euro-Mediterranean neighbourhood. It reiterated
that within this partnership the EU will give further focussed support
to reform undertaken by partners according to agreed priorities
and based on shared values as endorsed by the Barcelona Declaration.
Ministers welcomed the Arab League Tunis Declaration on Reform and
Modernisation as the Arab Mediterranean Partners’ guiding
framework for their cooperation with international partners. In
this context, Ministers welcomed the EU willingness to support indigenous
programmes for development and reform emanating from within the
countries of the
Mediterranean.
European Neighbourhood Policy
3. Ministers welcomed the progress made in developing
the European Neighbourhood Policy, as a policy to enhance the Barcelona
Process. Through this policy the EU will work with each partner
individually, at the appropriate pace, to deepen political and economic
integration and achieve the objectives of a privileged relationship
based on shared values, endorsed by the Barcelona Declaration. Ministers
welcomed progress made in consultations concerning the Action Plan
with Israel, Jordan, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority and Tunisia.
Consultations on Actions Plans should be pursued with Egypt and
Lebanon.
4. Building on the decisions made and achievements
reached within the Barcelona Process, the European Neighbourhood
Action Plans will reinforce existing forms of co-operation within
the Euromed framework. Thus the achievements of bilateral and sub-regional
co-operation should feed into the multilateral process and vice
versa. The European Neighbourhood Policy envisages new forms of
co-operation, notably the crossborder co-operation by means of the
MEDA Neighbourhood Programme. The implementation of crossborder
co-operation would require a specific capacity building effort by
Partners and Member States. It will be supported in the framework
of the proposed European Neighbourhood and Partnership instrument.
.
Review of the Barcelona Process
5. Ministers agreed that a comprehensive review,
prepared by Senior Officials, of the Barcelona Process should be
submitted to Ministers in Luxembourg for approval; this should provide
the basis for decisions on the future of the process. In that respect
the two Euro-Mediterranean independent networks of research organisations,
EuroMeSCO and FEMISE, are requested to contribute to the review
of the Barcelona Process. Other independent actors and nongovernmental
organisations should also feel free to make their own submissions.
These contributions will be the subject of discussion by Senior
Officials.
6. Ministers stressed the importance for the Senior
Officials from the EU and partner countries to prepare in depth
for the extraordinary Euro-Mediterranean Conference which will celebrate
the tenth anniversary of the Barcelona Process in November 2005
and to formulate appropriate recommendations. Senior Officials should
decide on the working methods for this, based on the principle of
partnership and mutual trust with a view to enhancing Euro-Mediterranean
cooperation. The recommendations will be presented to the Euro-Mediterranean
Conference in the first half of 2005.
Implementation of the Barcelona-acquis
7. The priority to be given to the process of political,
social and economic reform and
modernisation, as stated in the three volets of the Barcelona Process,
is now widely recognised. The challenge as far as the Mediterranean
is concerned will be to improve the efficiency of the Barcelona
Process enhanced by the European Neighbourhood Policy as an instrument
to this end. Still greater efforts are needed to translate words
into actions and to demonstrate genuine political will to implement
the commitments jointly entered into in the Valencia Action Plan.
The European Neighbourhood Action Plans, once agreed, will be an
important demonstration of this shared political will. They should
be implemented as a priority, in a focussed way through the organs
of the Association Agreements and with support from MEDA at the
national level. The Barcelona Process should be used as a political
framework to confirm the joint commitment to the plans and to ensure
the consistency of their objectives and their contribution to regional
and sub-regional integration. In this regard, the provision of adequate
financial resources should be considered, taking into account the
importance attached to the southern Mediterranean
countries. Finally, Ministers reaffirm the importance of ensuring
that Barcelona activities are
open to all Mediterranean Partners.
New international initiatives
8. The year 2004 has shown a variety of new initiatives
by different international frameworks aimed at furthering and accelerating
the political, economic and social reform process in the Mediterranean
region. New initiatives include the Arab League Tunis Declaration
on reform and modernisation and the G8 Sea Island Declaration. In
this context, and in order to further the EU Strategic Partnership’s
focus on reform issues, Ministers reaffirmed the centrality of the
Barcelona Process enhanced by the European Neighbourhood Policy,
but at the same time acknowledged that there should be a continuous
effort for improvement of the Partnership in all its aspects. Ministers
also confirmed their willingness to work alongside other international
actors insofar as their policies are compatible with the principles
and approach to which the EU and its Mediterranean partners are
committed.
Association Agreement Syria
9. Ministers welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations
for the Association Agreement with Syria, which represents an important
step forward in EU-Syria relations. Once the signature with Syria
is confirmed, all Association Agreements will be in place. Those
in force are being actively implemented through the Association
Councils, Committees and the comprehensive set of technical sub-committees
being set up.
Political Dialogue
10. Ministers reviewed developments since their
last meeting in Dublin. Ministers agreed that the changes in the
political situation create new hope and opportunities for political
dialogue between the parties concerned. Both Palestinian and Israeli
leaders have contributed to this positive atmosphere.
11. Reaffirming their commitment to a negotiated
solution agreed between the parties in accordance with the Roadmap,
Ministers agreed that an important opportunity presents itself to
bring about the peaceful realization of the Two State solution with
a Palestinian State which is sovereign, independent and viable,
living side by side in peace with Israel. Ministers recalled that
a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, in accordance with relevant
UN resolutions, the terms of reference of the Madrid conference
and the principle of land for peace, must meet the legitimate aspirations
of the Israeli and Arab people, notably the Palestinians. They agreed
that the Quartet should play an active role in pursuing the goal
of a comprehensive regional peace. In this respect they welcomed
the Quartet statement of 22 September 2004.
12. Ministers agreed that the focus should lie
on the immediate future. They underscored the need for positive
steps from Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the following
areas and agreed to support these efforts where possible. Priority
should be given to a smooth transfer of power in the Palestinian
Territories. In this respect, Ministers were encouraged by the signals
coming from Palestinian leaders. They agreed that Palestinian presidential
elections, development of a strong, financially stable and democratic
Palestinian Authority, improvement of the security situation and
acceleration of the agreed-upon Palestinian reform programme were
essential. Ministers recognised the importance of Israel taking
the necessary measures to improve the economic and security situation
of the Palestinian population. They also stressed the importance
of Israel lifting the closures to allow for free movement of people
and goods and to facilitate the holding of free and fair Palestinian
elections, including in East Jerusalem. Furthermore, Ministers encouraged
Israel and the Palestinian Authority to strengthen security co-operation.
13. Ministers reiterated that the decision by the
Israeli government to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of
the West Bank would, within parameters as formulated by the EU,
represent a significant step towards the implementation of the Roadmap.
The economic viability of those territories was considered crucial
in this respect.
14. A just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East is
the strategic option for the Arab countries as stated in the Arab
Peace Initiative as adopted by the Beirut Arab League Summit of
March 2002. Ministers stressed that a comprehensive peace must include
Syria and Lebanon.
15. Ministers called on all States in the region
to exert every effort to promote peace and urged all states to act
to combat terrorism.
16. Partners discussed Libya’s full integration
into the Barcelona Process and took note of ongoing consultations
in view of addressing outstanding issues.
17. Ministers welcomed the outcome of the meeting
on Iraq in Sharm al Sheikh on 23 November 2004 and underscored the
objective of a secure, stable, unified, prosperous and democratic
Iraq that will make a positive contribution to the stability of
the region. They reaffirmed their commitment to support the implementation
of UN Security Council Resolution 1546 and underscored the need
for a leading role of the United Nations. Ministers welcomed all
steps taken by the Iraqi Interim Government to achieve a broad participation
of the Iraqi political spectrum in the political process and to
hold general elections before the end of January 2005. They also
welcomed the commitment to Iraq’s future by its neighboring
states, as so clearly stated in the Sharm al Sheikh meeting.
18. Ministers took note of the importance of the
International Criminal Court as an effective means to combat impunity
from the most heinous crimes of concern to the international community.
Ministers of these countries which have ratified or acceded to the
Rome statute encouraged other partners to do so.
Political and Security Dialogue
19. In line with the commitments entered into under
the Association Agreements and where
appropriate in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy,
Partners agreed to
continue working towards the implementation of political reforms,
and welcomed a structured dialogue, based on joint ownership, on
co-operation on human rights and democratisation including support
for civil society. European Neighbourhood Action Plans devote a
central part to political dialogue and reform, strengthening democratisation
and the rule of law. New subcommittees under the Association Agreements
are being set up with Morocco, Jordan, and pending final agreement
with Tunisia, whilst a promising dialogue has begun with Egypt.
Financial support will be given from MEDA in 2006 for countries
implementing these measures.
20. The EU and some countries of the region, particularly
Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, have stepped up the dialogue and co-operation
on counter-terrorism which could be extended to other Partners.
Cooperation should be developed using a comprehensive approach based
on international commitments leading to concrete activities in the
fight against terrorism, notably by preventing the financing of
terrorism, as well as a dialogue on the underlying factors relating
to the recruitment for terrorism. Such cooperation should respect
and further the rule of law, human rights and political participation.
In this regard, Ministers noted Egypt’s initiative concerning
the organisation of an international conference on terrorism and
Tunisia’s proposal for a code of conduct on the fight against
terrorism. Ministers welcomed progress in the cooperation in the
field of counter terrorism through the holding of an ad hoc meeting
on the 10th of November 2004 in Brussels, on terrorism that underlined
the importance of this global approach.
21. Ministers welcomed the results of the discussions
among Senior Officials, on the initiative of the Personal Representative
of HR Solana for non-proliferation of WMD, on possibilities for
enhancing dialogue and cooperation on regional security and elimination
and non-proliferation of WMD, as a follow-up to the Presidency conclusions
of the Euromed mid-term meeting of MFA in Dublin (5-6 May 2004).
Subject to Terms of Reference to be agreed upon by the Partners,
Ministers endorsed the idea in principle of organising an ad-hoc
meeting within the Barcelona framework. Ministers instructed Senior
Officials to conduct consultations in order to reach the necessary
agreement on the modalities for such a meeting beforehand and requested
the Personal Representative to assist in this process. It could
be held in the first half of 2005.
22. Partners reaffirmed the need to develop the
dialogue to address issues on their security. The new format for
developing dialogue and co-operation on ESDP, as successfully confirmed
at the ad hoc meeting on the 10th of November in Brussels, should
be pursued and gradually lead to agreed activities. Ministers encouraged
the Commission to continue support for Partnership Building Measures
i.e. the Malta Diplomatic Seminars, co-operation in Civil Protection
and Disaster Management and the EUROMESCO network of foreign policy
institutes. Ministers welcomed the progress report on Partnership
Building Measures under the co-ordination of Italy and Jordan.
Free Trade Area
23. A successful Euro-Mediterranean Trade Ministerial
was held in Istanbul on the 21st of July 2004. On economic issues
the first priority is to take further steps towards the creation
of the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area by the target date of
2010. Ministers took note that substantial progress has been made
on free trade. The network of bilateral EU/Mediterranean partner
arrangements has been reinforced by the entry into force of the
agreements with Jordan and Egypt and of the interim agreement with
Lebanon. The Agadir Agreement between Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and
Morocco has opened new perspectives of integration among southern
Mediterranean partners. The Agadir Agreement should enter into force
in 2005 with technical assistance from MEDA to its Secretariat in
Amman. Agadir represents a promising experience that should be pursued
and followed by other partners. The Agadir Process should be extended
to other Arab Mediterranean partners, without prejudice to their
continuing to establish free trade with other partners, as Ministers
noted. The upgrading of the bilateral trade agreements between Jordan
and Israel for further liberalisation allowing for further diagonal
cumulation of origin is a significant contribution. A significant
contribution is also made by Morocco, the PLO and Tunisia through
the conclusion of free trade agreements with Turkey; more countries
should express their willingness to conclude free trade agreements
with Turkey. Ministers welcomed the agreement reached at Palermo
that the pan-Euro-Mediterranean Protocol on cumulation of origin
should be adopted in the framework of Association Agreements. Ministers
promoted the use of the new framework protocol for the liberalisation
of services that can constitute an appropriate basis for future
negotiations between the EU and Mediterranean partners. The strategy
for accelerating the liberalisation of trade in agriculture has
begun to be addressed through a meeting at senior expert level,
with a view to Ministers agreeing later on measures for reciprocal
agricultural trade liberalisation within a package – containing
a specific roadmap - including trade in processed agricultural products
and non-trade aspects (rural development, etc.). Furthermore, in
line with the European Neighbourhood Action Plans, harmonisation
with the EU Single Market should be developed in priority sectors
such as customs, environment, industrial standards, health, veterinary
and phyto-sanitary regulations. A Ministerial Meeting on textiles
was held in Tunis on the 28th of September.
Industry and Enterprise Co-operation
24. Industry Ministers adopted the Euro-Mediterranean
Charter for Enterprise at the Conference held in Caserta on 3-4
October 2004. By doing this, Euro-Mediterranean partners agreed
to put industry and enterprise development high on their political
agenda. The Charter defines common, coherent and monitorable principles
to improve the business environment and boost competitiveness. Industry
Ministers also confirmed their readiness to converge towards EU
regulations and standards within an international context, for industrial
products; partners have already started the process of identifying
priorities for harmonisation in this area. Ministers have also started
a discussion on new forms of co-operation, at national, regional
and subregional level, aimed at fostering the competitiveness of
Mediterranean partners' production systems, stimulate business links
and investments in the region and disseminate innovation. The Conference
also launched co-operation at sectoral level, including a Pan-Euro-
Mediterranean dialogue on the future of the textile and clothing
industry. Industry Ministers took note of a proposal by Greece to
host their next meeting in 2006.
25. Free trade needs to be accompanied by regional
economic integration. Further steps should be taken towards infrastructure
development including interconnection in transport and energy: the
new MEDA Neighbourhood Programme for 2005-2006 allocates a considerable
share of its € 45 million to promote inter-connections and
investments in these two sectors and the European Neighbourhood
Action Plans incorporate measures to promote further integration.
The development of a regional gas market in the Mashraq region and
a regional electricity market in the Maghreb region, with their
eventual integration with that of the EU, as well as the development
of joint initiatives between Israel and the Palestinian Authority
in the energy sector, should continue to be promoted. In the field
of transport the aim is to support transport sector reforms and
identify a backbone transport infrastructure network for the region
as well as the interconnection of the Trans-European Transport Network
with the neighbouring regions. Ministers welcomed the official opening
of the Rome Euro-Mediterranean Energy Platform (REMEP) as from 15
October 2004.
26. In addition to liberalisation and regional
economic integration the deepening of the economic reform process
is required. Economy and Finance Ministers should meet next year,
possibly back to back with the FEMIP Ministerial to be held in Morocco
in 2005, to consider key economic reform policy issues aimed at
fostering growth, private sector development, poverty reduction
and lower unemployment.
27. There remains a need to develop the access
of the Mediterranean partners to the knowledge economy through regulatory
reform and transfer of technology. The Ministerial meeting on Information
and Communications Technologies, to take place in Dublin in the
first half of 2005 on this subject, a well as the World Summit on
Information Society (WSIS) to be held in Tunis in 2005, should give
a boost to this process.
28. Research and Technological Development (RTD)
also has an important role to play. The inclusion of capacity building
and investments in the field of RTD in the European
Neighbourhood Action Plans will provide new synergies between different
EU instruments,
like MEDA and ENPI and the Framework Programme for RTD.
Financing
29. The considerable improvement in the performance
of MEDA is still increasing. The main reasons for this success are
the deepening of the Partnership, the better appropriation of programmes
and projects by all Mediterranean partners, and the devolution of
decisions and implementation to the EU Delegations. At the end of
2004, payments (€750 Million) will for the first time in the
history of MEDA overtake the amount of commitments (€700 Million).
Future financial assistance under MEDA and its successor will further
prioritise and focus on support for reform, while also taking account
of the other objectives of the Barcelona Process.
30. The EIB is becoming one of the most important
sources of external investment financing in the region, both for
public and private sector projects. Total FEMIP lending to the region
stands at more than € 13 billion and is rapidly increasing.
The volume of new projects is reaching € 2 billion per year.
Ministers should acknowledge the success of FEMIP activities and
reaffirm their commitment to the establishment of the FEMIP Trust
Fund in the light of the financial contributions to be made by Euro-Mediterranean
partners in the course of 2005. The Ministers noted again that the
possibility of the incorporation of an EIB majority owned subsidiary
dedicated to the Mediterranean partner countries will be fully assessed
in December 2006, on the basis on an evaluation of FEMIP’s
performance as agreed in the Naples Euro- Mediterranean Conference.
Justice, Security and Migration
31. Ministers recognised the importance of co-operating
on key issues such as the functioning of the judiciary, migration,
as well as combating major threats like drugs, terrorism and organised
crime. The European Neighbourhood Action Plans contain a large section
dedicated to this cooperation that will concretely be implemented
through the “Justice and Security” and “Migration
and Social Affairs” sub-committees. Ministers confirmed the
importance of an integrated approach recognising both that migration
is a positive factor for socio-economic development and integration
of the whole region and that there is a common interest in fighting
illegal migration within the context of a comprehensive approach,
in particular in upholding respect for the rule of law and the rights
of asylum-seekers and legal migrants. Ministers also reaffirmed
their existing commitment to the conclusion of readmission agreements.
There should be co-operation in identifying the roots of migration,
in the fight against illegal migration and in improving the social,
political and cultural integration of migrants. In the light of
the successful implementation of the regional JHA-framework programme
covering the justice, police and migration sectors, ministers encouraged
the launching of its second phase. New projects should lead to collaboration
in new areas, such as commercial as well as civil matters, including
the facilitation of the resolution of family conflicts, in respect
of national legislation and international law.
32. In the light of the common problem of illegal
migration to Maghreb countries and the
subsequent transit migration to the EU, characterised by human suffering,
there is a need for
intensified co-operation that addresses root causes as well as negative
effects of transit
migration and the possibility of a dialogue with third countries
to address the issue. This cooperation should involve all aspects
of illegal migration, the fight against human trafficking and related
networks as well as other forms of illegal migration, border management
and migration related capacity building. Support for capacity building
and providing technical assistance to countries meeting their obligations
under the Geneva Conventions could be considered.
Dialogue between cultures and civilisations
33. The successful launching of the Anna Lindh
Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures planned for 2005 will
be an important benchmark for the future in terms of political perceptions
and visibility of the Foundation, which will be located in the Alexandria
Library in tandem with the Swedish Institute in Alexandria. To this
end Ministers agreed to facilitate and promote all activities of
the Foundation, to support the participation of their civil societies
in the work of the Foundation and to confirm their political commitment
by substantial financial contributions by all partners. Its location
in a Mediterranean partner country has important symbolic value
and the involvement of civil society in this initiative on a subject
at the heart of the political relationship is to be welcomed. Ministers
welcomed the formal adoption of the Statute of the Foundation and
the first constituent meeting of the representatives of the national
networks held in Brussels preparing for the official launching of
the Foundation in 2005.
34. Ministers underlined the need to prevent all
forms of extremism, radicalisation and incitement. They underlined
that the Barcelona Process, and in particular the Dialogue between
Cultures, should be used to the fullest to promote understanding
between and among the people living in the EU and around the Mediterranean
and to create conditions in which freedom and initiative can flourish.
They stressed the need for to make sure that extremism and radicalization,
racism, discrimination and xenophobia do not gain the upper hand
over the majority of the population that wants to live peacefully.
35. On civil society, Ministers welcomed the meeting
held in Cyprus in June 2004 and the general assembly planned for
March 2005 with the objective of the constitution of the “Euro-
Mediterranean Non-Governmental Platform” aiming at the reinforcement
of civil society networks of the region. Ministers looked forward
to the next Civil Forum to be held on 1-2 April 2005.
36. Ministers agreed to enhance existing activities
supporting cultural diversity such as Euromed Audiovisual and Euromed
Heritage, and foster exchanges of expertise and dialogue on the
promotion of cultural diversity, as well as promoting the access
of cultural products to the EU and partner countries in view of
‘knowing the other’.
Education, Youth and Women
37. In a region where young people make up more
than half of the population partners should encourage all efforts
to improve their living conditions and support the improvement of
standards of education and litteracy. The European Neighbourhood
Action Plans and MEDA should support co-operation in these fields.
In this respect Ministers noted the successful implementation of
the TEMPUS programme for co-operation on higher education.
38. Ministers acknowledged the valuable work of
the Youth Platform and agreed to enhance the Euromed Youth programme,
which has given more than 15.000 young people the opportunity to
work together on common cultural values. A further objective for
the future should be to promote mobility and exchanges and thus
allow youth to discover the diversity of cultures by travelling,
taking part in exchanges as one of the main ways for mutual understanding
and promoting respect for cultural differences.
39. All efforts should be made through bilateral
and regional co-operation as well as through financial support from
MEDA, to increase the education level of women and promote their
equal political, social, cultural and economic opportunities in
the respective societies.
Parliamentary Assembly
40. In March 2004, the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary
Assembly held its inaugural session in Athens, a landmark in joint
efforts to promote inter-parliamentary exchanges as a vehicle to
foster pluralistic democracy as well as making an additional contribution
to the overall implementation of the partnership. Ministers looked
forward to the second meeting of the Euro- Mediterranean Parliamentary
Assembly to be held in Cairo in 2005.
Visibility
41. Finally, partners agreed to make a major effort to
remedy the lack of visibility of the Barcelona process and its achievements.
In this context they decided that 2005 will be the Year of the Mediterranean.
They arranged for an effective convergence of the message they give.
For its part the Commission will be stepping up its activities through
the Euro-Med Dialogue programme on information and communication
of the partnership.
Overview of developments: Annex
42. A detailed overview of developments in the
Barcelona Process is contained in the annex. It indicates clearly
that in spite of political obstacles progress continues to be made
in a large number of areas and that the partners continue to develop
the objectives identified at Barcelona in 1995 and covered by the
jointly agreed Valencia Action Plan.
List of Barcelona Process activities since the Naples Euro-Mediterranean
Conference of
Foreign Ministers.
Association Agreements
1. The Agreement with Egypt entered into force in June 2004. Ratification
of the Agreements with Lebanon and Algeria is well advanced. Negotiations
with Syria have been concluded. Association Councils and Committees
are held regularly under the Agreements in force and technical sub-committees
have been set up with Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan. Under the MEDA
programme, twinning activities between Ministries and other public
bodies in EU Member States and Mediterranean Partners have been
prepared or launched during 2004 to facilitate the implementation
of the Association Agreements with Jordan, Morocco, and Lebanon.
European Neighbourhood Policy
2. Consultations with Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian
Authority for Action Plans are expected to be finalised soon. Consultations
should be pursued for Action Plans with Egypt and Lebanon. The MEDA
Neighbourhood Programme for the Mediterranean is expected to be
approved before the end of October.
Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly
3. The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly was set up at a
meeting in Athens on 22-23 March 2004. Its three Committees held
their constituent meetings in Brussels in September.
Financial Cooperation
4. Cooperation with Mediterranean partners has proceeded in the
framework of MEDA funding. The increased effectiveness and efficiency
in the implementation of programmes has been confirmed and accelerated
in recent months. The payments/ commitments ratio will improve dramatically
from 28% under MEDA I (1995-1999) to 105 % in 2004. The process
of deconcentration has been virtually completed and now all Commission
Delegations in Partner countries assume ample responsibilities in
the implementation of programmes and projects. This increased efficiency
is also the result of a better absorption capacity of Partners’
beneficiaries and administrations. The national and regional indicative
programmes for the period 2005-2006 were approved, thus establishing
the agreed broad lines of Euro-Med cooperation priorities for the
two years to come both at bilateral and regional levels.
5. In line with the Council Conclusions of November 2003, the EIB
has proceeded with the implementation of a "Reinforced"
FEMIP lending facility. A regional office has been
established in Cairo and others are being set up in Rabat and Tunis.
At the Alexandria
Ministerial meeting in June, the EIB introduced proposals to establish
a donor Trust Fund that provides additional grant financing for
technical assistance and risk capital operations under FEMIP. Furthermore,
the Special FEMIP Envelope was introduced as a new financing window
for private sector projects with higher commercial risks. The Trust
Fund has received sufficient donor pledges to be launched before
the end of the year. The first project proposals on the Special
Envelope are also expected in the next few months.
Human rights and Democratisation
6. Progress has been made in implementing the Commission Communication
on human rights and democratisation with Mediterranean partners:
the regional political dialogue has covered the rights of the child,
and is envisaged to discuss the fight against racism and xenophobia;
specific commitments, with objectives and benchmarks, are included
in the European Neighbourhood Action Plans; sub-committees under
the Association Agreements on human rights, democratisation and
governance have been set up with Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan; a
dialogue has been started with Egypt.
Political and Security Cooperation
7. The political and security dialogue has been pursued at regular
meetings of Senior Officials of the Barcelona Process and has covered
human rights and democracy, conflict prevention and crisis management,
the fight against terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and other matters of mutual interest.
8. Ad-hoc meetings on the fight against terrorism were held in April
2004, concentrating primarily on ways to prevent the financing of
terrorism and November 2004, concentrating on enhanced co-operation
with some Mediterranean partners.
9. Agreement has been reached on the principle of holding a workshop
or ad hoc meeting on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
involving senior governmental and nongovernmental experts.
10. A meeting of the Political and Security Committee with Mediterranean
partners took place on the basis of an Options Paper for further
dialogue and cooperation in ESDP matters. In response to comments
from Mediterranean partners a further meeting was held under a revised
format within the Barcelona Process involving Senior Officials and
ESDP experts from all partners in November 2004.
11. Existing partnership building measures have been pursued under
the MEDA programme, notably the Malta seminars for diplomats, EuroMeSCo
network of foreign policy institutes and cooperation on civil protection.
The civil protection pilot project has terminated and been favourably
evaluated. It has been agreed to pursue this cooperation through
a bridge project in advance of the implementation of a long term
project.
12. Two meetings of the ad-hoc informal working groups on Partnership
Building Measures and the European Neighbourhood Policy were held
in June and September 2004. It was agreed that they would report
before the end of the year.
Justice, Freedom and Security
13. The regional programme covering the justice, police and migration
sectors has proceeded which permits experts and trainers from Euro-Mediterranean
countries to work together in judicial cooperation in civil and
penal matters, in the fight against terrorism, drugs and organised
crime and in a joint approach to migration. MEDA actions have been
supported respectively with the European Institute of Public Administration
in Maastricht, the European Police College (CEPOL) and The European
University Institute-Robert Schuman Centre in Florence.
Trade
14. The EU and Mediterranean Partners have pursued the process of
creating the Euro-
Mediterranean Free Trade Area with concrete steps and initiatives.
Of particular relevance are the conclusions reached at the Euro-Med
Trade Ministerial in Istanbul to accelerate the
introduction of the pan-Euro-Mediterranean cumulation of origin.
The conclusion of a common regional protocol for the liberalisation
of services was another major step achieved in Istanbul that will
open the door for the conclusion of bilateral agreements with Mediterranean
Partners. In addition, all Mediterranean partners have now identified
the priority sectors for which they wish to obtain improved access
to the EU market through the implementation of EUharmonised legislation
on industrial products and the examination of the relevant legislation
has already started. Two series of regional training workshops held
within the Euro-Med Market Regional Programme financed under MEDA
have facilitated preparations for the Euro- Mediterranean Free Trade
Area, allowing for information sharing and exchange of experience.
15. The signature of the Agadir Agreement in February 2004 is creating
considerable momentum for the establishment of the Southern dimension
of free trade. The process of ratification of this agreement should
be completed before the end of the year so that implementation starts
as foreseen on 1 January 2005. The Commission will support the implementation
of the agreement with a targeted MEDA technical assistance, including
support for the Secretariat to be set up in Amman. In July 2004
a MEDA sub-regional initiative was launched within Euro-Med Market
to help the parties to the Agadir Agreement in this regard.
Other economic issues
16. The steps taken in the field of energy have been instrumental
in further integrating the energy markets in the Euro-Mediterranean
region. The two Ministerial Conferences held in 2003 laid the foundations
for stronger links in the oil, gas and electricity sectors. Following
decisions taken by Ministers in energy and transport the Commission
is taking measures to promote inter connections and investments
in these two sectors and commitments in this respect are contained
in the Neighbourhood Action Plans. Work on regional energy projects
has continued, and some projects have ended, yielding substantial
results.
17. In the transport sector the MEDA funded Euro-Mediterranean Satellite
Navigation (GNSS) project was launched in September 2004 when the
GALILEO Euro-Med Co-operation Office was officially opened in Cairo.
The project, which involves Mediterranean Partners in the EU’s
GALILEO Programme, is one of the priorities within the Euromed Transport
III Regional Project financed under MEDA. The SAFEMED project for
Co-operation on Maritime Safety and prevention of pollution from
ships, which was given a favourable opinion from the MED Committee
in April 2004, is another priority.
18. A sizeable part of the MEDA European Neighbourhood programme
approved in 2004 will concentrate on the energy and transport sectors
as factors for economic growth and regional integration.
19. Telecommunications is another sector of strategic significance
for the development of the services economies of the Mediterranean
Partners. Under the Irish Presidency, the Euro-Med Experts and Senior
Officials Conference brought together sixty representatives in Malahide
from authorities dealing with the Information Society in the Mediterranean
area, the EU Member States and the European Commission. The programme
organised among five panels included issues of Communications policy
and regulations, ICT for Business, sustainable growth and education,
regional co-operation, eGovernment and Business in ICT. It offered
the opportunity to address eBusiness, eGovernment, eEducation, emerging
technologies, investment and cooperation at regional and global
level. Co-operation on the ground has been going on within MEDA
with the EUMEDIS Regional Programme (Euro-Mediterranean Information
Society), which facilitates the extension of existing infrastructures
through the Eumedconnect project, and promotes applications in areas
like telemedicine and distance learning. In addition, the New Approaches
to Telecommunications Policy II programme (NATP II) has received
the green light from the MED Committee.
20. Research and Technological Development (RTD) also has an important
role to play. Cooperation will be pursued to open the European Research
Area by increasing Mediterranean partners’ participation in
all research activities open in the VI Framework Programme, reinforcing
the specific activities strengthening regional integration and fostering
the mobility and exchanges of Mediterranean researchers with EU.
The inclusion of capacity building and investments in the field
of RTD in the Neighbourhood Action Plans will provide new synergies
between different EU instruments, like MEDA and ENPI and the Framework
Programme for RTD. The TEMPUS programme to support cooperation in
education and training should be continued and developed.
21. The Euro-Med Economic Transition conference next year should
take stock of progress on economic reformsin the region. This conference
as well as the bilateral Economic Dialogues should also take a forward-looking
view on economic reforms in the context of the Neighbourhood Policy.
The 8th annual Euro-Med meeting on Economic Transition was held
in Brussels in June 2005. Presentations and discussions focused
on legal, judicial and regulatory reform in the Partner economies.
The importance of a well-functioning legal and judicial system in
a market economy was underlined and several Partners presented the
programmes and efforts they have undertaken in this respect. Progress
towards establishing competition authorities and rules on corporate
governance were also discussed. Further comparable Euro- Mediterranean
statistics have been compiled and published within the Regional
MEDSTAT Programme.
22. Representatives from the key stakeholders in economic reform
(including, employers,
employees and women) and government officials who deal with economic
reform, from across the EuroMed region, met in the Euro-Mediterranean
conference on “Managing the Social Consequences of Economic
Reform” held in Marrakech on 20 and 21 May 2004. The aims
of the meeting were to study how different groups of society are
affected by economic reform and to examine strategies to limit its
social costs. The conference concluded that although there will
always be social costs resulting from economic reform, the failure
to implement reform has even greater social costs in the longer
term. If implemented effectively, economic reform will result in
the creation of an enabling business environment that stimulates
investment and job creation, and the provision of better basic services
– housing, hospitals, schools, transport – the standards
by which good governance is measured. Such reform is being supported
by MEDA within a number of bilateral programmes and will be further
promoted under the European Neighbourhood Policy. In addition, training
activities in the Mediterranean region have been given a boost with
the launching in 2004 of two MEDA regional programmes, one on Education
and Training for Employment, the other on Training of Public Administrations.
23. A number of MEDA bilateral programmes and projects launched
in 2004 provide national and local authorities in the Partners with
assistance for modernising higher education and vocational training,
and fighting against poverty, particularly through local development
programmes, in Egypt and Morocco, for instance.
24. At the Caserta Conference on 3-4 October 2004, Industry Ministers
agreed on a work programme for industrial co-operation for 2005-2006.
The planned actions are intended to support efforts to implement
the principles of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise.
These principles relate to administrative simplification, education
for an entrepreneurial spirit, improved skills, easier access to
finance, better market access, promotion of innovation, the development
of efficient business support services, stronger business networks
and partnerships and clear information. The work programme focuses
on the monitoring of the implementation of the Charter, benchmarking
and the exchange of good policy practices at regional level, the
promotion of a Pan-Euro-Mediterranean dialogue to identify common
strategies for the competitiveness of the textile and clothing industry,
as well as the definition of new forms of co-operation for private
sector development.
25. At the Summit held in Valencia on 18 and 19 November 2004 Economic
and Social Councils and Similar Bodies from the countries of the
Euro-Mediterranean Partnership met together. The summit recommended
that the role played by civil society organisations in implementing
the partnership strategy be recognized by the Ministerial Meeting
in The Hague, that representatives of the civil society organisations
be closely associated with the implementation of the European Neighborhood
Policy Action Plans and that agriculture be given higher political
priority in the Barcelona Process. It also called for more integrated
and balanced migration policies.
Sustainability
26. The 6th meeting of environment correspondents was held in Brussels
on 21-22 June 2004. The meeting was instrumental in revitalising
the SMAP network of correspondents and of their partners in the
NGO community, the international organisations acting in the area
and the European Commission services involved in the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership. Both the funding and the policy development aspects
of the network will be pursued in the future through the various
means identified at the meeting, so that the SMAP network continues
to be an important actor in the Mediterranean. As regards environmental
policy, there was a consensus that more efforts should be deployed
to put sustainable development at the core of national policies
and of the Barcelona Partnership. It was estimated that the SMAP
Correspondents could have a key role to play in this context and
that SMAP strategies and modus operandi, as well as the status and
role of the SMAP Correspondents might have to be reconsidered and
adapted if necessary, in order to best address this problem. . As
to co-operation activities, the 3rd Regional Environment Programme
(SMAP III) was given a favourable opinion by the MED Committee in
April 2004. The programme aims to assist Mediterranean Partners
in designing appropriate
sustainable development strategies and mainstreaming environmental
issues, as well as
supporting Integrated Coastal Zone Management. In addition, the
Commission has
commissioned an independent assessment on the possible impact of
the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area on the sustainable development
of the region. The project started in early 2004. Improvement of
Water Supply and Management has been the focus of new MEDA funded
bilateral programmes, notably in Jordan and Morocco. MEDA regional
projects involving universities, research institutes, and specialised
agencies have started actions in early 2004 as part of the Regional
Programme for Local Water Management.
Dialogue between Cultures
27. The Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for Dialogue between
Cultures was launched in the Naples Foreign Ministers’ meeting
in December 2003, which also agreed on the modalities of setting
it up. During the Mid-term Ministerial Conference in Dublin Ministers
accepted the offer of Egypt and Sweden that the Foundation should
have its headquarters in Alexandria Library in tandem with the Swedish
Institute in Alexandria. The Commission has agreed to provide financing
of € 5 M from MEDA and the Euro-Mediterranean partners have
announced commitments with a total figure superior to that amount.
The Euromed Committee in July agreed on the appointment of Mr Traugott
Schöfthaler as Executive Director Designate. The approval of
the Statute of the Foundation and the signature and publication
of the Egyptian Presidential Decree concerning the privileges of
the Foundation will be the last steps before the official launching
of the Foundation.
Civil Forum
28. The Civil Forum in Naples 28-30 November 2003, organised with
a comprehensive bottom–up approach, concluded with the decision
to ensure continuity through a steering committee to organise future
meetings and to give a mandate to the recently created NGO Platform
to coordinate actions to strengthen the participation of civil society
in the Barcelona process. This structure of continuity has already
held a general conference in Cyprus in June 2004 and is organising
a general launching assembly prior to the next civil forum under
the Luxembourg Presidency in Spring 2005, for which an organizing
steering committee (including Luxembourg and Moroccan NGO’s
and the platform) has been created. This in order to identify the
ways and
means to achieve a real impact of the civil societies on the development
of the Barcelona
process.
Youth, Education and Culture
29. The Commission is incorporating the TEMPUS programme of support
for co-operation in higher education into MEDA National Indicative
Programmes for the Mediterranean partners – calls launched
in 2002 and 2003 and selected projects started in academic year
2003/4.
30. Within the MEDA programme, the Euro-Med Youth programme for
youth exchanges is continuing with calls for proposals issued three
times a year, as are the two programmes on Cultural Heritage and
Audio-visual (next phase of each of them launched during 2004).
The latter two programmes organized their annual general conferences
in 2004 in Rome and Marseilles respectively.
Visibility
31. The Commission is starting a MEDA programme (‘Euro-Med
Dialogue’) in 2004 to raise the visibility of the partnership
through co-operation on news-based activities, managed on the ground
by the Commission Delegations in the region. It will include a wide
variety of actions including TV, radio, actions with journalists,
civil society, youth, etc. The Arabic language has been increasingly
used in Commission and other MEDA funded publications and web sites
designed to inform about the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
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