THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ATTENDS THE FOURTH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE EUROMEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP IN MARSEILLES

Minister Joe Borg yesterday travelled from Strasbourg to Marseilles to attend the IVth Meeting of the Euro Mediterranean Partnership.

The meeting that was inaugurated by French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine is dominated by the situation in the Middle East. Ministers discussed this issue in the first session and continued throughout the working dinner, attended exclusively by Ministers.

In addressing the meeting this morning, Minister Borg reiterated Malta's keen interest in the process and the need to consolidate the partnership in a manner as to close the gap between the two regions. On the attainment of a Free Trade Area by 2010, Minister Borg spoke of the need to increase co-operation through the early introduction of cumulation of rules of origin. Minister Borg referred to the moves being made to include agriculture in the association agreements, and proposed the setting up of a Forum to discuss fishing conservation in the Mediterranean. In relation to the utilisation of MEDA funds, Minister Borg proposed the setting up of a unit made up of EU members and Mediterranean partners to identify projects and possible partners as well as draw up appropriate logistics for the realisation of these projects.

During the opening ceremony, Minister Vedrine announced that the E.U. members had agreed that the amount of funding under the MEDA II programme covering 2000-2006 will amount to 5.35 billion Euros.

The discussions continue today, and will focus on the political, economic and social chapters of the process. A report on the progress made in the negotiations of the Charter for Peace and Stability in the Mediterranean will be presented to the Ministers.

Minister Borg was accompanied by Ambassador Alfred Zarb, Euro Med Co-ordinator, Ambassador Salvino Busuttil, Mr. Charles Mifsud, Ms. Vanessa Grima Baldacchino, Dr. Elena Grech and Mr. Simon Pullicino.