Euro-Mediterranean ministers agree sharing on 'common destination'

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 04, 2003

Euro-Mediterranean ministers agree sharing on 'common destination'

Foreign ministers from 37 countries on Wednesday wrapped up the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Naples highlighting that Europe and southern Mediterranean countries share a "common destiny."

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Foreign ministers from 37 countries on Wednesday wrapped up the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Naples highlighting that Europe and southern Mediterranean countries share a "common destiny."

The overriding idea at the two-day conference, delegates agreed, was that peace and economic development could only be achieved through close dialogue, which is able to act as an antidote to lack of tolerance and terrorism.

"We share a common destiny and we will not let prejudice or terrorism discourage us," said Italian Foreign Minster Franco Frattini.

The meeting was aimed at relaunching the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership accord of 1995, known as the Barcelona Process, focusing on a series of results and a renewed commitment aimed at bringing different cultures closer.

The talks were attended by all the foreign ministers of the enlarged European Union as well as representatives of the other Barcelona Process countries (Israel, the Palestinian National Authority, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Malta, Cyprus and Turkey).

The most important results achieved by delegates include the creation of a new Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, whichwas approved Wednesday. This will be a permanent advisory forum, with 240 representatives from 37 Mediterranean countries.

The decision to set up a Euro-Mediterranean Foundation marked another significant step forward. The organization's seat has yet to be decided but Rome is one of the candidates together with Alexandria.

Ministers also agreed to boost the European Investment Bank's Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP),with a view to eventually creating a Euro-Mediterranean Bank.

Naples would be one of the candidate locations for the bank.

The strengthened FEMIP will particularly focus on encouraging the development of small and medium industries, as well as installing mechanisms to attract private investments to the region.

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