Spain and Malta steer debate on future of EuroMed

During the first meeting of senior officials’ meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Process, held on 6 – 7^th February, 2002 under the Spanish Presidency, the Spanish delegation, introduced a document on priorities intended to enable the participants to draw up an Action Plan, to be endorsed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, when they meet in Valencia next April. The document enumerates the concerns and aspirations of the partners and tries to chart the roadmap for the future.

The delegation of Malta, represented by Ambassador Alfred A Zarb, also tabled a contribution on the restructuring of the process, that is considered to be complementary to the Action Plan proposed by Spain. Malta is proposing the introduction of a more structured and equitable mechanism through the introduction of co-chairmanship, alternating of venues for Ministerial meetings, other measures intended to improve co-ordination through the effective participation of European and Mediterranean partners, as well as to increase the visibility and promotion of the process.

In introducing the initiative, Ambassador Alfred A. Zarb said that the document presented by Malta draws on the experience gained over the last six years, and proposes changes that go in the direction of increasing the sense of ownership of the dialogue among all the partners. The proposal was well received by a number of delegations.

The Euro-Mediterranean Senior Officials Committee is also examining two other major programmes. The first dealing with Culture and Civilisation, and was introduced by Spain and Sweden after the events of 11^th September 2001. The programme is meant to increase a better awareness of the specificities of each of the partner countries. The second programme is intended to promote cooperation among the partners in the field of Justice and Home Affairs.

These issues are expected for discussion and decision by Ministers of Foreign Affairs during the next Ministerial meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Process, to be held in Valencia, Spain in April.