The Union for the Mediterranean - A successful concept for stronger regional cooperation? 

A most informative and enjoyable conference entitled “The Union for the Mediterranean - A successful concept for stronger regional cooperation?” took place in the Representation of Baden-Württemberg to the EU in Brussels, on 25th June 2008. The event was co-hosted by the Centre for European Studies, Hanns Seidel Stiftung, Fondation Robert Schuman, Constantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy. Speakers including Antonio Tajani, Ingo Friedrich MEP, Antonio Lopez-Isturiz together with a lively and distinguished panel expressed their views on the Euro-Mediterranean Union initiative proposed by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy in March 2008.Overall the contributors expressed appreciation for the concept of a Union for the Mediterranean, describing it as described as a valuable and innovative tool to enhance co-operation in the region in a wide range of areas, such as security, environmental policy and development.

In the opening speech by Ingo Friedrich MEP, Quaestor and Member of the Bureau of the European Parliament, he pointed out that a Union for the Mediterranean would be a natural progression from the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process) and that it has great potential for furthering dialogue with the Islamic world and European stability. MEP Friedrich acknowledged that the major challenges arising from the project of a Union for the Mediterranean include institutional issues and the reluctance of certain nations to participate. Despite these problems, he concluded that it would be in Europe’s interest for the Union for the Mediterranean to be successful and that the stability of the region would greatly benefit from its success.

A practical and pragmatic approached was stressed by Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ, Secretary General of the European People`s Party and Secretary Treasurer of Centre for European Studies. Mr Lopez emphasized that the EPP fully supports the initiative of a Union for the Mediterranean and accordingly welcomes the Communication of the European Commission on the "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean” on the initiatives to be undertaken in view of the Paris Summit of 13th July 2008. An effective Euro-Mediterranean Union must be able to offer prospects for long-term economic and political integration, including appropriate institutional reforms and strengthening the role of civil society through education and environmental initiatives. The Euro-Mediterranean Union should augment enterprise links throughout Europe, increasing economic contacts and fostering free trade. In conclusion, the EPP Secretary General expressed his belief that all necessary political engagement will be put in place to enable the Mediterranean area to become a catalyst of prosperity and security.

Following introductory statements, the moderator Shada Islam, Journalist and Senior Programme Executive at the European Policy Centre, opened the panel discussion. Recognising the role of this partnership to enhance prosperity and stability in the region, Ms Islam brought to the attention of the panellists questions that still remain unanswered, i.e.: institutional issues, budgetary matters, and long-term goals of the Euro-Mediterranean Union. The panellists addressed these and a diverse selection of other topics from their particular standpoint. Seenot Haleem Dous, Committee on Arab and Foreign Affairs and National Security of the Shoura Assembly, Egypt, highlighted that Egypt’s future is tightly linked to the Mediterranean and that the European Union and NATO play a vital role in the security of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Mr Dous went on to list the reasons why an Union of the Mediterranean is in his view necessary, including issues of terrorism, energy and climate change, human rights, enterprise and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Thomas Silberhorn, Member of the German Bundestag, believes that the project of a Union for the Mediterranean should take place within the framework of the EU and not besides it. Otherwise, he pointed out, a political and geographical diversification among EU members would follow. Mr Silberhorn emphasised that more attention should be paid to the nature of the project rather than focusing on structural reforms. While favouring the idea of a co-presidency, the deputy criticised the setting up of a secretariat of the Euro-Mediterranean Union. In his opening statement, Jacques Huntzinger, Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, gave an overview of the state of the dossier, pointing out that the Paris summit of 13th July 2008 will be a cornerstone for the Mediterranean future. As for the institutional dimension of the Union for the Mediterranean, the European Council conclusions of 20th June 2008 have finally indicated a clear direction, welcoming the idea of a co-presidency. In the ambassador’s opinion, such a co-presidency is an “institutional revolution” because all partners will really be at the same level. Ambassador Huntzinger identified such political challenges as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iranian nuclear programmes, as well as economic issues, such as the unemployment rate in the Southern Mediterranean. Further to MEP Friedrich’s remarks, Ambassador Huntzinger hopes too that the Union for the Mediterranean shall encourage mutual understanding between Europe and the Islamic world, promoting education exchange and inter-cultural dialogue. Mr Huntzinger also drew attention to the challenge of funding such a Union given that the EU budget till 2010 has already been approved, and that of involving civil society in the process of promoting stability in the region.

As the final speaker in the panel discussion, Panagiotis Roumeliotis, Chairman of the Institut de Prospective Economique du Monde Méditerranéen (IPEMed), underscored how the proposal of President Sarkozy for a Union for the Mediterranean is a regenerating initiative for the entire region, likening regionalisation to an “antidote” for globalisation. On this premise, Mr Roumeliotis identified some goals of utmost importance, including, guaranteeing a secure energy supply, opposing the terrorist threat, and addressing environmental degradation and climate change. In order to overcome the shortcomings of the Barcelona Process, the EU must show its commitment is to recover the economic situation of the southern states. Conversely, the latter have to recognise that they cannot face the challenges of globalisation alone. Finally, Mr Roumeliotis, similarly to many of his fellow panellists, remarked that tangible results will fundamentally depend on the political determination to realise concrete projects coping with the challenges facing both shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

The meeting was delighted to receive its keynote speech from Antonio TAJANI, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport, in which he highlighted the challenges of the Union for the Mediterranean, with particular regard to the area of transport. Commissioner Tajani recalled that following the proposal by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the European Commission adopted a communication on the “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean” on 20th May 2008. The importance of co-operation in the Mediterranean region is proven by the history of the region, thus there is great significance to this new challenge and the necessity of commitment to inter-cultural dialogue. Commissioner Tajani highlighted the implications of the Union for the Mediterranean with regard to transport policy, noting that co-operation in this field is essential to tighten links between Europe and North Africa and to help find solutions to the problems connected with migration flows. The transport sector involves delicate areas such as air and maritime security and the secure transit of energy, and so demands particular attention. The Union for the Mediterranean gives new impetus to co-operation on transport, especially with regard to maritime and trans-Maghreb transportation as well as Europe-Africa transport networks. Commissioner Tajani expressed the belief that the Union for the Mediterranean may be a valuable tool for furthering mutual understanding and dialogue in the region. Therefore, the strongest commitment by all member States is required in order to make the Union for the Mediterranean a success.

In his concluding remarks, Nikolaos Tzifakis, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the Constantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy, remarked that a new impetus to Euro-Mediterranean co-operation has arisen and that the key element to determine its success be in the commitment of its members to a real and meaningful Union.