Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the preparation of the Tampere Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Affairs Ministers Conference (27-28 November 2006) - The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership: Time to deliver
Date: 2006-10-25
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Union for the Mediterranean, cooperation policy, cultural relations, energy policy, immigration, information society, participation of women, terrorism, the EU's international role, transport policy

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 25.10.2006 
COM(2006) 620 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

on the preparation of the Tampere Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Affairs 
Ministers Conference  
(27-28 November 2006) 

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership: Time to deliver 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

on the preparation of the Tampere Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Affairs 
Ministers Conference  
(27-28 November 2006) 

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership: Time to deliver 

For  more  than  ten  years  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Partnership  has  been  a  central 
framework  of  relations  between  Europe  and  Southern  Mediterranean  Partners1.  At 
the 2005 Barcelona Summit, Heads of State and Government agreed on a Five-Year 
Work Programme designed, among other things : to advance political dialogue and 
reform;  tackle  the  regional  and  global  threats  to  security  and  stability;  support 
sustainable socio-economic development; accelerate moves towards a free trade area; 
work toward the de-pollution of the Mediterranean; increase cooperation in the field 
of  education  and  culture;  and  address  migratory  flows  by  way  of  a  comprehensive 
and integrated approach. 

reinvigorating 

the  Peace  Process.  The  European  contribution 

In the difficult prevailing circumstances in the Middle East, the Euro-Mediterranean 
Partnership  assumes  even  greater  importance  as  an  inclusive  structure  of  regional 
cooperation.  The  violence  and  suffering  witnessed  in  the  Palestinian  territories, 
Lebanon and northern Israel in the summer of 2006 have underlined the importance 
of 
the 
implementation  of  UNSCR  1701  is  significant,  as  was  the  EU’s  rapid  reaction  to 
humanitarian  and  environmental  needs  during  and  after  the  conflict.  The  EU’s 
commitment  to  assist  the  Lebanese  government  implement  necessary  political, 
security, economic and social reforms is also significant, and provides the context for 
EU reconstruction and rehabilitation assistance. The Council expressed its strong will 
to  see  all  parties  in  the  region  playing  a  constructive  role  in  helping  to  implement 
UNSCR 1701. 

to 

Events in the Palestinian territories underline the importance of EU assistance in the 
provision  of  essential  services  to  the  Palestinian  population,  as  well  as  the  need  to 
remain  engaged  on  issues  of  movement  and  access.  The  EU  has  mobilised  more 
resources  than  ever  before  to  meet  the  urgent  needs  of  the  Palestinian  people, 
including  through  the  Temporary  International  Mechanism  (TIM).  This  mechanism 
has allowed substantial resources to be channelled directly to the Palestinian people 
in  the  last  few  months,  and  it  has  been  further  extended.  Recent  dramatic 
developments  also  highlight  the  urgent  need  to  move  from  violence  and  hatred  to 
peace  and  confidence.  The  EU  remains  convinced  that  there  are  no  military  or 
unilateral  solutions  to  the  challenges  in  Middle  East.  Lasting  peace  and  security  in 
the region can only be ensured by a comprehensive settlement with a negotiated two-
state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at its core. 

1 

Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey. 

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4. 

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership is entering a critically important new phase, one 
that should see it focus on achieving the objectives agreed at the Barcelona Summit 
in  an  effort  to  meet  the  high  expectations  of  governments  and  civil  society.  The 
priority  of  the  Barcelona  Process  is  to  develop  the  regional  dimension  of  a 
comprehensive  Partnership  between  Europe  and  the  Southern  Mediterranean  based 
on  the  result-oriented  European  Neighbourhood  Policy.  Acting  in  synergy  with  the 
European  Neighbourhood  Policy,  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Partnership  remains  the 
only  regional  forum  where  political  and  security  dialogue  among  all  Euro-
Mediterranean partners is possible; where regional integration as a factor of stability 
and growth can be discussed and agreed upon; and where the regional component of 
strategic  issues  such  as  sustainable  energy,  the  environmental  policy,  transport, 
poverty reduction, strengthening the role of women in society and migration can be 
addressed.  

5. 

The objective of the present communication is three-fold: 

A) 

1. 

2. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

reviewing the work undertaken since the 2005 Barcelona Summit; 

preparing  the  next  Conference  of  Euro-Mediterranean  Foreign  Affairs 
Ministers  in  Tampere  by  proposing  priorities  for  implementation  of  the  Five-
Year  Work  Programme  for  2007  and  the  Code  of  Conduct  on  Countering 
Terrorism; and 

taking  forward  the  issue  of  the  working  methods  within  the  Partnership  to 
improve the functioning of the Barcelona Process in line with the suggestions 
made by some EU Member States and Mediterranean Partners.  

WORK UNDERTAKEN SINCE THE BARCELONA SUMMIT 

The  35  partners  of  the  Barcelona  Process  and  the  European  Commission  started  to 
work  on  the  implementation  of  the  Five-Year  Work  Programme  immediately  after 
the  Barcelona  Summit.  Being  the  first  year  of  implementation,  2006  is  therefore  a 
critical year.  

Under  the  Austrian  Presidency,  in  the  first  half  of  the  year,  Partners  held  the 
Ministerial Conference on Trade in Marrakech on 24 March where they reviewed the 
implementation  of  the  Palermo  Action  Plan,  confirmed  further  trade  liberalisation 
efforts notably South-South and, most importantly, launched negotiations on services 
and  right  of  establishment.  Later  in  the  year,  the  Conference  of  Ministers  of 
Economy  and  Finance  in  Tunis  (25-26  June)  discussed  how  to  improve  the 
management of public finances, a key part of a broad agenda covering economic and 
financial issues. On 22-23 May 2006 in Vienna, the Presidency and the Commission 
jointly organised an important meeting on ‘xenophobia, racism and the media’ which 
gathered  together  media  professionals  from  the  Euromed  region  to  discuss  ways  of 
addressing  the  problems  of  racism,  xenophobia  and  hate  discourse  and  how  to 
encourage  respect  for  all  religions  and  cultures.  This  conference  underscored  the 
significant  role  that  the  Partnership  can  play  in  bridging  cultural  divides  across  the 
Mediterranean.  Moreover,  the  yearly  Economic  Transition  Seminar  was  held  in 
Brussels  on  6-7  June  (“Giving  the  Partners  a  stake  in  the  Internal  Market”)  and  a 
preparatory  meeting  for  the  1st  Euro-Med  Conference  on  the  role  of  women  in 

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society took place in Rabat on 14-16 June. The dialogue on the information society 
endorsed by the 2005 Ministerial meeting in Dundalk started in April 2006, with the 
holding of the 1st Euro-Med Forum on Information Society. 

In the run-up to the Tampere Conference, under the Finnish Presidency in the second 
half of the year, Partners will continue to work in the areas of gender equality and the 
role of women in society. A first Euro-Med Ministerial meeting in this area will be 
held in Istanbul in November 2006. In the aftermath of the Barcelona Summit which 
launched  the  Mediterranean  de-pollution  initiative  (Horizon  2020)  and  subsequent 
discussions  with  the  partner  countries  and  other  stakeholders  in  the  region  (civil 
society, business, regions and cities of the Mediterranean area), the Commission has 
prepared a Communication with proposals for a timetable of measures. The meeting 
of  Euro-Med  Environment  Ministers  scheduled  for  20  November  2006  in  Cairo  is 
expected  to  finalise  and  adopt  this  timetable  which  will  set  out  the  steps  for 
implementing  Horizon  2020.  Euro-Mediterranean  Ministers  of  Industry  will  also 
meet  in  Rhodes  to  agree  on  priority  areas  for  economic  cooperation  under  the 
European  Neighbourhood  Policy  and 
their  cooperation  on 
competitiveness,  market  access,  innovation  and  investment.  Partners  will  also 
continue to work on the preparation of the Euro-Med Migration Ministerial meeting 
with the holding of a further Senior Officials Expert meeting. The Euro-Med Energy 
Forum  reconvened  (21  September  2006)  in  Brussels  at  Directors-General  level  to 
review  the  progress  of  energy  cooperation  and  to  start  to  develop  a  Euro-
Mediterranean energy strategy for the future (2007-2010 and beyond).  

reinforce 

to 

For  its  part,  the  European  Commission  is  preparing  the  National  and  Regional 
Strategy  Papers  and  Indicative  Programmes,  which  will  provide  the  framework  for 
Euro-Mediterranean national and regional financial cooperation from 2007 onwards 
under  the  new  European  Neighbourhood  and  Partnership  Instrument  (ENPI).  From 
2007,  subject  to  formal  approval,  the  Regional  Strategy  and  Indicative  Programme 
will  focus  principally  on  funding  the  priorities  identified  in  the  Five-Year  Work 
Programme agreed at the Barcelona Summit.  

The  European  Commission  attaches  great  importance  to  the  role  of  civil  society  in 
the  Barcelona  process.  The  Conference  of  Euro-Mediterranean  Foreign  Affairs 
Ministers  in  Tampere  will  give  an  opportunity  to  the  representatives  of  the  Non-
Governmental  Platform  to  present  the  results  of  the  Marrakech  Civil  Forum  (3-5 
November),  the  first  ever  to  take  place  in  a  partner  country.  In  this  framework, 
Ministers  should  support  the  initiatives  to  strengthen  the  role  and  place  of  civil 
society in the Partnership including the establishment of consultation mechanisms at 
all  levels.  This  could  include  the  creation,  in  the  near  future,  of  national  non-
governmental  platforms  as 
the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Partnership. 

instruments 

reinforcing 

TEN  GUIDELINES  FOR  ACTION  IN  THE  SECOND  YEAR  OF  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE 
FIVE-YEAR WORK PROGRAMME  

Political and security dialogue 

Since  its  inception  in  1995,  the  Barcelona Process  has  helped  to  foster  cooperation 
on political and security issues, with several important partnership-building measures 

3. 

4. 

5. 

B) 

I. 

1. 

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already in place. Furthermore, Euromed partners have regularly emphasised the need 
to  shape  a  culture  of  dialogue  and  cooperation  to  help  achieve  the  objective  of  a 
region  in  peace  and  stability.  At  the  same  time,  it  is  commonly  agreed  that  since 
1995, threats to the security of Euromed partners have significantly changed. These 
threats are nowadays less predictable, more diverse and they include issues such as 
terrorism,  proliferation  of  weapons  of  mass  destruction,  regional  conflicts  and 
organised crime. The illicit trafficking and spread of small arms and light weapons is 
one of the main factors in the destabilisation of states, and it is part and parcel of all 
the  abovementioned  threats.  It  is  therefore  one  of  the  key  security  issues  that 
Euromed partners are facing. 

It is widely understood that the Barcelona Process has the potential to strengthening 
regional  peace  and  security,  notably  through  promoting  universal  standards, 
implementation of and compliance with all the relevant multilateral disarmament and 
non-proliferation agreements. In this context and with the support of the Presidency 
and  the  Council,  the  Commission  encourages  all  Partners  to  work  towards  holding 
both  the  regional  seminar  on  anti-personnel  landmines  and  the  ad  hoc  Euromed 
meeting  on  WMD  and  their  means  of  delivery.  Furthermore,  the  Commission 
proposes to hold a Euromed Seminar on security issues in 2007, which could help to 
forge a common understanding of key regional security issues. 

The  Barcelona  Process  provides  an  important  framework  for  deepening  political 
dialogue,  thus  enabling  Euromed  partners  to  strive  towards  the  establishment  of  a 
region,  underpinned  by  sustainable 
peaceful,  secure  and  stable  Euromed 
development,  rule  of  law,  democracy  and  human  rights.  At  the  Barcelona  Summit, 
Euromed  partners  agreed  to  reflect  on  deeper  co-operation  in  the  area  of 
‘internationally  agreed  standards  in  the  conduct  of  elections’.  In  this  context,  the 
Commission proposes to hold a regional Euromed seminar in 2007 on co-operation, 
best practices and exchange of experience in the area of elections.  

The  Commission  is  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Parliamentary 
Assembly  (EMPA),  since  it  firmly  believes  that  the  Barcelona  Process  is  a 
politically-driven  process  in  which  legislative  bodies,  the  cornerstones  of  all 
democratic systems, are able and willing to assume an active role. The Commission 
remains  fully  committed  to  further  reinforcing  exchanges  with  the  parliamentary 
body  of  the  Barcelona  Process  in  order  to  attain  the  ambitious  objectives  set  at  the 
Barcelona Summit. In this context, partners should also consider enabling technical 
cooperation between national parliaments. 

Implementation of the Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism 

Adoption of the Euromed Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism is a significant 
political achievement which reflects a common awareness that the regional Euromed 
framework  can  play  an  essential  role  in  sharing  experience  and  providing  an 
appropriate  platform  for  enhanced  co-operation.  Progress  has  been  made  in 
increasing co-operation among police, judicial and other authorities, notably through 
the  regional  “JAI”  programme.  This  will  be  further  developed  under  the  second 
phase of the programme. Partners should now focus on what practical steps to take to 
implement the jointly agreed Code of Conduct.  

2. 

3. 

4. 

II. 

1. 

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2. 

3. 

in  preventing 

To help implement the Euromed Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism, and in 
line  with  the  latest  ad  hoc  meeting  (15  May  2006)  in  the  Euromed  framework,  the 
Commission proposes to hold a Euro-Mediterranean Seminar in 2007 on the role of 
the  media 
through  effective  and  professional 
communication.  The  Commission  proposes  to  use  existing  frameworks  of  dialogue 
and  co-operation  in  this  field,  such  as  the  ‘Euromed  and  the  Media’  initiative,  as 
input for the planned seminar. The objective is to provide policy-makers and media 
practitioners with a forum in which to share concrete experiences on the role of the 
media in this field. 

incitement 

Furthermore, in line with the Human rights provisions of the Neighbourhood Action 
Plans and the Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism, the Commission also plans 
to  hold  a  regional  Euro-Mediterranean  Seminar  in  2007  on  ensuring  respect  for 
human rights in the fight against terrorism in accordance with international law. The 
judges  and 
Seminar will bring 
lawyers,  and 
to  draw  up  a  series  of 
representatives  of  civil  society, 
recommendations. 

together  government  officials, 
in  an  attempt 

III. 

A Euro-Med Area for Free Trade and Investment 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Further to the orientations agreed upon at the Barcelona Summit in November 2005, 
several initiatives have been launched in the context of the Euromed partnership to 
help achieve the objective of a Euromed Free Trade Area by 2010. As confirmed at 
the Euro-Mediterranean Conference held in Marrakech earlier this year, the agenda 
for  2007  will  focus  on  the  implementation  of  these  initiatives,  namely  negotiations 
on the liberalisation of trade in services and the right of establishment, negotiations 
on  deeper  agricultural  liberalisation,  the  establishment  of  a  dispute-settlement 
mechanism  and  regulatory  convergence.  The  results  of  the  Sustainable  Impact 
Assessment of the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area expected for the end of 2006 
will  be  relevant  in  further  negotiations  on  trade  liberalisation.  To  take  stock  of  the 
progress made in these areas, Euro-Mediterranean Trade Ministers might envisage a 
Ministerial meeting in the second half of 2007.  

On services and establishment, talks have started with seven Mediterranean partner 
countries  (Egypt,  Israel,  Jordan,  Lebanon,  Morocco,  Palestinian  Authority  and 
Tunisia). The talks are taking place at regional level in an effort to define the general 
principles  of  liberalisation  common  to  all  Mediterranean  partners.  Bilateral 
negotiations  will  follow  in  due  course  on  specific  commitments  with  each 
Mediterranean partner. 

Concerning agricultural processed agricultural and fisheries products, negotiations on 
progressive  liberalisation  of  trade  based  on  the  Rabat  Roadmap  (2005)  have  begun 
with a number of Mediterranean partners with a view to concluding agreements and 
starting  to  implement  them,  possibly  by  2007.  The  Commission  underlines  the 
importance  of  progress  on  accompanying  measures  on  non-tariff  aspects  of 
agricultural  trade  and  on  other  issues,  such  as  rural  development,  as  a  premise  for 
successful and efficient implementation to the benefit of all parties. Furthermore, the 
Commission  calls  for  a  timely  undertaking  of  related  actions  as  laid  down  in  the 
Neighbourhood Action Plans. 

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4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

In  order  to  solve  disputes  in  the  field  of  trade,  negotiations  have  been  launched 
jointly  with  all  Mediterranean  partners  to  agree  on  the  establishment  of  a  Dispute 
Settlement Mechanism containing specific rules of procedure to this effect. 

The 2007-2008 work programme on Euro-Mediterranean Industrial cooperation that 
Ministers for Industry adopted at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in September 
2006  in  Rhodes  encompasses  five  strands  :  enterprise  competitiveness,  innovation, 
facilitation  of  trade  in  industrial  products,  dialogue  on  the  future  of  the  textile  and 
clothing industry and investment. 

Proposals  for  2007-2008  to  enhance  enterprise  competitiveness  are  to  rally  further 
support  in  Mediterranean  partner  countries  for  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Charter  for 
Enterprise across all relevant sectors at national, regional and local level, seeking in 
particular to involve the private sector including business organisations, more closely 
into  Charter  decision  making  and  implementation.  Moreover,  a  number  of 
programmes and activities conducted in the EU to promote innovation will be open 
to the participation of Mediterranean partners. 

In  sectors  where  legislation  is  harmonised  at  EU  level,  Mediterranean  partner 
countries  will  be  further  encouraged  to  align  their  legislation,  standards  and 
conformity  assessment  procedures  with  the  EU  system  with  the  objective  of 
removing  technical  barriers  to  trade  deriving  from  divergent  technical  rules  and 
standards.  Mediterranean  partner  countries  will  receive  assistance  in  order  to 
accelerate reforms and regulatory convergence, and to put in place, or upgrade, the 
necessary  quality  infrastructure  and  legislation,  with  a  view  to  concluding 
Agreements  on  Conformity  Assessment  and  Acceptance  of  Industrial  Products 
(ACAAs) in sectors of common interest as soon as conditions are met.  

The Five-Year Work Programme provides for the establishment of an ad-hoc group 
to examine ways and means of enhancing investment flows across the Mediterranean 
region. During the first half of 2007, the Commission intends to call a first meeting 
of the ad hoc group in consultation with the relevant Euro-Mediterranean authorities. 
The objective of the ad hoc group should be to identify the structural and regulatory 
obstacles to inward investment in the countries of the region, to propose measures to 
address these obstacles including convergence towards regional best practices, and to 
highlight  investment  promotion  activities.  In  response  to  the  high  priority 
Mediterranean Partners attach to investment as a cooperation sector, the Commission 
intends to include a cooperation programme on investment in the Regional Indicative 
Programme for 2007-2009.  

In  accordance  with  the  ECOFIN  Council  decision  of  November  2003,  which 
recommended a review of the FEMIP facility before the end of 2006, and building on 
the  2nd  Euro-Med  ECOFIN/FEMIP  Ministerial  Conference  held  in  Tunis  on  25-26 
June  2006,  the  Commission  and  the  EIB  will  submit  a  joint  review  report  to  the 
ECOFIN Council, which will take a decision on the future of FEMIP in November 
2006.  The  next  Euro-Med  ECOFIN/FEMIP  Ministerial  Conference  is  planned  for 
May 2007 in Cyprus.  

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IV. 

Energy and Transport 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Energy and Transport issues, whose “pivotal role” in the economic dimension of the 
Euro- Mediterranean Partnership was already acknowledged by the 1995 Barcelona 
Conference,  are  of  growing  importance  to  Euromed  partners.  This  was  also 
underlined by the Presidency Conclusions of the European Council of 15 and 16 June 
2006 calling for the “development and implementation of an external energy policy” 
for the EU, namely through “the extension of the EU's internal market in energy to 
its neighbours”.  

Adoption  of  the  priorities  for  Euro-Mediterranean  energy  cooperation  at  the  2003 
Athens and Rome Energy Ministerial Conferences, and their implementation over the 
period 2003-2006, was an important step towards creating a fully interconnected and 
integrated  Euro-Mediterranean  energy  market.  The  Euro-Mediterranean  Energy 
Forum,  held  in  Brussels  in  September  2006  agreed  on  recommendations  for  the 
period  ahead,  namely:  examining  the  possibility  of  extending  the  sub-regional 
electricity initiative in the Maghreb to natural gas, and extending the sub-regional gas 
initiative  in  the  Mashrek  to  cover  electricity,  provided  conditions  permit  it; 
integrating energy markets in the Euro-Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan regions; and 
completing  the  necessary  energy  infrastructure  projects.  Moreover,  the  Forum  took 
note  of  the  conclusions  of  the  European  Council  of  March  2006  which  highlighted 
the  importance  of  the  external  aspects  of  the  EU  energy  policy,  including  in  the 
development of a Priority Interconnection Plan for the electricity and gas networks. 
The Forum also discussed the sustainable development of the energy sector and the 
need  to  diversify  sources  of  energy  supply,  promote  development  of  renewable 
energies  and  make  more  efficient  use  of  energy.  The  next  Euro-Mediterranean 
Energy Conference will be held in 2007 with the aim of agreeing on the priorities for 
energy cooperation in the period ahead. 

and 

network 

The  adoption  of  the  priorities  for  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Transport  cooperation  at 
the 2006 Marrakech Transport Ministerial Conference and their implementation over 
the  period  2007-2012  represented  an  important  step  towards  the  creation  of  an 
integrated  multimodal  Euro-Mediterranean  Transport 
the 
implementation of the main strategic lines for future Euro-Mediterranean cooperation 
in  the  Transport  sector,  notably  the  modernisation  and  reform  of  maritime  and  air 
Transport, the strengthening of multimodal Transport, as well as the promotion of the 
GNSS  Programme  in  the  region.  These  priorities  are  based  on  the  Blue  Paper  on 
Transport in the Mediterranean region, a joint document elaborated in the framework 
of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Transport  Forum.  This  paper  identifies  the  main 
orientations  for  the  development  of  a  Euro-Mediterranean  integrated  Transport 
system in the period ahead and on the Final Report of the High Level Group on the 
extension  of  the  Trans-European  Transport  priority  axes  to  neighbouring  countries, 
in  particular  its  implications  for  the  Mediterranean  region.  The  Commission  has 
significantly  taken  up  these  challenges,  by  launching  in  the  last  twelve  months 
projects  in  the  fields  of  civil  aviation  reform,  as  well  as  for  the  development  of 
Mediterranean  Motorways  of  the  Sea.  Furthermore,  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Transport  Forum  also  acted  upon  the  Five-Year  Work  Programme's  objective  of 
fighting  pollution  in  the  Mediterranean  by  launching  a  three  year  project, 
SAFEMED,  against  maritime  pollution  in  the  region.  In  the  coming  months  it  is 
expected  that  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Transport  Forum  will  adopt  a  Regional 

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V. 

1. 

2. 

Transport  Action  Plan  for  the  next  five  years  to  implement  the  recommendations 
included in the Blue Paper and in the Final Report of the High Level Group. 

Environment 

For  2007,  implementation  will  start  on  the  Horizon  2020  initiative  for  the  de-
pollution  of  the  Mediterranean  with  the  identification  of  priority  projects  for 
pollution reduction, and a start on the priority capacity building measures in partner 
countries.  This  work  will  be  undertaken  in  close  coordination  between  the  partner 
countries,  donors  such  as  the  EIB  and  the  World  Bank,  and  environmental 
stakeholders  and  networks  such  as  UNEP/MAP  and  the  Mediterranean  Committee 
for  Sustainable  Development.  The  focus  will  also  be  placed  on  identifying  priority 
needs in environment-related research. A steering group will be established to steer 
the  Horizon  2020  initiative,  based  on  indicators  and  a  'scorecard'  to  be  developed 
jointly by the European Environment Agency, the Mediterranean Action Plan and the 
European Commission, with the active involvement of the countries in the region. 

Cooperation between the Community and Mediterranean partners for the sustainable 
management  of  fisheries  resources  in  the  Mediterranean  will  be  intensified,  in 
particular within the relevant regional bodies (General Fisheries Commission for the 
Mediterranean  and  International  Commission  for  the  Conservation  of  Atlantic 
Tunas), in line with the Declaration of the Ministerial Conference for the Sustainable 
Development  of  Fishery  in  the  Mediterranean  held  in  Venice  (November  2003). 
Furthermore,  in  the  framework  of  the  open  consultation  process  on  the  European 
Commission's  Green  Paper  "Towards  a  Future  Maritime  Policy  for  the  Union:  A 
European  Vision  for  the  Oceans  and  Seas"  partners  are  invited  to  contribute  to  the 
ongoing discussion process about new approaches for strengthening cooperation on 
the  maritime  economy,  governance  and  resource  management  in  particular  in  the 
Mediterranean Sea. 

VI. 

Education and Social Development  

1. 

Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) were high on the agenda of 
the Barcelona Summit. Euro-Mediterranean Heads of State and Government agreed 
to  increase  education  funding  significantly  to  boost  enrolment  rates,  to  expand  and 
improve  illiteracy  eradication,  especially  for  girls  and  women,  and  to  enhance  the 
capabilities of universities, including by encouraging networking between them and 
introducing a standard for university education. Some of these objectives have been 
successfully  addressed  by  the  Commission’s  Tempus  and  Erasmus  Mundus 
programmes  as  well  as 
through  bilateral  education  programmes.  Bilateral 
cooperation and Community programmes will further continue in the period ahead. 
Moreover,  at  regional  level,  the  Commission  will  launch  a  scholarship  scheme  in 
2007 for university students from countries covered by the European Neighbourhood 
Policy,  and  propose  holding  a  Euro-Mediterranean  Higher  Education  and  Research 
Conference  in  2007  to  discuss  higher  education  cooperation  and  standards  of 
university  education.  Furthermore,  the  Commission  will  continue  to  support 
Mediterranean  efforts in the field of  Vocational Education and Training at regional 
(MEDA-Education and Training for Employment project) and bilateral level. 

2. 

In  line  with  the  Five-Year  Work  Programme  priorities  related  to  sustainable  socio-
economic  development  and  reform,  the  Commission  intends  to  develop  a  more 

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the  social  development-related  priorities  as 

systematic approach to cooperation in this field which constitutes a major sector for 
enhancing social cohesion and economic development. The Euromed framework can 
play a role in sharing experience and providing an appropriate platform for enhanced 
co-operation.  Partners  should  now  focus  on  how  to  take  practical  steps  in  order  to 
the 
implement 
Neighbourhood Action Plans. The Commission proposes holding in 2007 a Euromed 
workshop  on  employment  policy  and  on  practical  measures  to  create  job 
opportunities.  In  this  context,  a  structured  exchange  would  aim  at  reviewing  best 
practices  and  at  elaborating  appropriate  support  to  reform  measures  with  relevant 
stakeholders and social partners. The proposed Workshop could pave the way for a 
Euro-Med Ministerial Conference on Employment to be held in 2008. 

laid  down 

in 

3. 

As  part  of  the  Five-Year  Work  Programme,  the  Commission  intends  to  develop  a 
more systematic approach to cooperation on health, which is one of the prime sectors 
where  social  cohesion  and  economic  development  can  be  enhanced.  The 
Commission  proposes  to  hold  a  Euromed  workshop  in  2007  on  surveillance  and 
control  of  communicable  diseases.  Such  co-operation  would  serve  clear  mutual 
interests in containing health threats for the benefit of all populations on a regional 
basis. In this context, a structured exchange on external cooperation experiences and 
best  practices  would  help  to  take  stock  of  lessons  learned  from  cooperation 
programmes  and  national  efforts,  to  develop  a  common  understanding  of  goals, 
objectives and terminology and to provide proper support for reform measures. The 
proposed  workshop  could  pave  the  way  for  a  Euro-Med  Ministerial  Conference  on 
Health to be held in 2008 which could deal among other things with health systems 
and practical measures and activities for reconciling quality, sustainability and equity 
of health care. 

VII. 

Strengthening the role of Women in society 

themselves 

to  support 

to  mobilise  financial  resources 

The  first  Euromed  Ministerial  Conference  on  strengthening  the  role  of  women  in 
society, to be held 14-15 November 2006 in Istanbul should adopt a Five-Year Plan 
of  Action  (2007-2011)  promoting  the  full  participation  of  women  in  the  economic, 
political  and  social  life  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  region.  All  Euro-Med  partners 
should  commit 
the 
this  Plan  of  Action  (national  funding,  ENPI,  bilateral 
implementation  of 
contributions from Member States, FEMIP and other relevant financial instruments). 
The  Commission  will  work  towards  the  objectives  enshrined  in  the  Plan  of  Action 
over the next five years and will prepare in 2007 a new regional programme (follow-
up  to  the  Euromed  regional  programme  "Enhancing  opportunities  of  women  in 
economic life") containing concrete proposals for initiatives and projects structured 
around  three  main  clusters:  women's  rights  and  political  participation,  socio-
economic  integration;  changes  of  gender  stereotypes  through  education  and  media. 
As a result of the Istanbul conference an independent high-level group will be set-up 
to  elaborate  a  set  of  indicators  in  order  to  monitor  and  evaluate  the  overall 
implementation of the Plan of Action. The high level group will prepare a first report 
in 2007 that will be presented to the Euro-Med Committee and its recommendations 
will  be  submitted  to  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Foreign  Ministers  Conference.  A 
follow-up  Euromed  Ministerial  Conference  to  discuss  issues  related  to  the 
implementation of the Plan of Action will take place in 2009. 

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VIII. 

Information Society 

including  electronic  communications 

regulatory  harmonisation  and  cooperation  between 

The 1st Euro-Mediterranean Information Society Conference in Dundalk (Ireland) in 
April  2005  established  the  Euro-Med  Dialogue  on  the  development  of  the 
regulation.  The 
Information  Society 
Commission  proposes  to  hold  a  2nd  Euro-Mediterranean  Information  Society 
Conference  in  2007,  preferably  in  a  Mediterranean  partner  country,  to  assess 
progress  on 
regulatory 
authorities, opening of telecommunication markets, and exchange of experience in e-
education and e-government. This second Euro-Med Information Society Conference 
will be an opportunity to assess progress on the implementation of the objectives set 
out  in  the  National  Neighbourhood  Policy  Action  Plans.  In  this  respect  Ministers 
may wish to review steps taken to liberalise the telecommunication markets, develop 
harmonised  regulatory  frameworks,  and  promote  the  information  society  through, 
among other things, internet penetration. 

IX. 

Cultural Dialogue 

1. 

2. 

X. 

1. 

In  terms  of  intercultural  dialogue  the  Barcelona  Process  should  be  capable  of 
delivering  a  series  of  new  actions  designed  to  act  as  a  pole  of  attraction  and  to 
counteract  attempts  to  drive  a  wedge  between  our  cultures  and  societies.  In  this 
respect the Euromed Heritage Programme and the Anna Lindh Foundation – ALF –
will continue to contribute to this objective. The 35 networks of the ALF (which now 
include more than 1000 organisations) should play an important role by launching a 
series  of  initiatives  for  a  better  mutual  understanding  in  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
region.  Ministers  in  Tampere  could  take  note  of  the  ideas/proposals  put  forward  at 
the meeting of Heads of Networks prior to Tampere. The ALF should also be invited 
to contribute in the preparations of the ‘2008 EU Year of Intercultural Dialogue’. A 
Meeting  of  Euromed  Ministers  of  Culture  could  be  called  in  2007  to  discuss  the 
Barcelona Process intercultural agenda, examine the results of the first 3 years of the 
ALF  and  propose  a  linkage  with  other  initiatives  such  as  the  follow-up  to  the 
adoption  of  the  UNESCO  Convention  on  the  protection  and  promotion  of  the 
diversity of cultural expressions or the Alliance of Civilisations. 

Following  the  Euromed  Committee  discussions  on  the  cartoons  issue,  general 
support was given to the proposals put forward by the Commission (‘Decalogue’ DS 
29/06)  on  how  to  make  better  use  of  the  various  Euromed  instruments  to  promote 
intercultural  dialogue,  notably  by  improving  the  involvement  of  the  media  and 
opinion  leaders  and  reaching  out  to  civil  society.  Ministers  should  endorse  these 
suggestions and give a mandate to the Euromed Committee  to follow through with 
the implementation of the Decalogue. 

Migration 

Migration, social integration, justice and security have become major policy issues in 
the  Barcelona  Process.  The  political  commitments  undertaken  at  the  Barcelona 
Summit  must  be  translated  into  concrete  measures  and  actions  to  address  these 
phenomena  by  way  of  a  comprehensive  and  integrated  approach.  The  adoption  in 
Valencia  in  2002  of  the  regional  framework  document  and  the  subsequent 
implementation  of  the  regional  “MEDA-JAI”  programme  represented  an  important 
step forward, which also encouraged co-operation at bilateral level. The monitoring 

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2. 

3. 

C) 

1. 

2. 

of  ENP  Action  Plans  in  the  “Justice  and  security”  sub-committees  and  “Migration 
and social affairs” working groups provides a solid basis for implementation of the 
Association Agreements and the ENP Action Plans.  

Focusing in particular migration at regional level, the Euromed framework, notably 
through its legal and financial instruments, permits a strategic approach designed to 
optimise  the  benefits  of  migration  for  all  Partners.  In  line  with  Chapter  IV  of  the 
Five-Year  Work  Programme  adopted  at  the  Barcelona  Summit  and  further  to  the 
successful  Senior  Officials  expert  meeting  held  on  20  June  2006,  the  Commission 
proposes  to  enhance  the  regional  dialogue  on  migration  through  operational  co-
operation.  

In  consultation  with  all  Euromed  Partners,  the  Commission  proposes  to  prepare  a 
detailed  and  focused  work  programme  containing  concrete  proposals  for  initiatives 
and  projects  structured  around  three  main  clusters:  legal  migration,  migration  and 
development,  and  illegal  migration.  In  this  context,  contributions  from  other 
international  initiatives  such  as  the  Rabat  Euro-African  Ministerial  meeting  on 
migration  should  also  be  considered.  To  develop  a  common  understanding  of  the 
current migration-related activities, an overview of existing bilateral and Community 
funded  projects  in  the  areas  of  migration  and  development,  legal  and  illegal 
migration  will  be  made  on  the  basis  of  information  provided  by  all  Partners.  Once 
prepared,  this  Work  programme  will  provide  the  basis  for  the  Euromed  Ministerial 
meeting on migration due to take place in 2007 and aimed at agreeing on a series of 
further measures to promote co-operation on all issues relating to migration. 

Working methods 

The  Euro-Mediterranean  Partnership  has  been  successful  in  creating  long-term 
political and institutional links between Europe and its Mediterranean Partners in two 
complementary dimensions: a) a multilateral dimension with the Euro-Mediterranean 
Foreign  Affairs  Ministerial  Conferences  and  Euro-Mediterranean  Conferences  in  a 
wide  variety  of  sectors;  and  b)  a  bilateral  dimension  with  the  conclusion  of 
Association  Agreements  reinforced  by  the  ENP  and  its  national  Action  Plans. 
However, it is widely recognised that the regional and multilateral dimensions of the 
Barcelona  Process  need  to  be  improved  to  respond  to  the  needs  of  complex  and 
evolving political, economic, social and cultural relations involving 35 partners and 
the European Commission. The Partnership needs to communicate better, it needs to 
improve co-ownership by all stakeholders and participants, and it needs to be more 
operational, efficient and results-oriented. 

The  Commission  will  support  Partners’  efforts  to  improve  the  visibility  and  co-
ownership of the process, and to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the 
agreed commitments adopted by the Barcelona Summit for the next five years. The 
Commission  calls  for  better  coordination  between  line  ministries,  for  closer 
involvement  of  civil  society,  including  private  sector  representatives  and  for  more 
efforts  to  improve  the  working  methods  of  the  Partnership  as  an  essential  step 
towards  making  the  regional  framework  more  efficient  and  operational.  The 
objective is to ensure better prepared and better structured Euro-Med Foreign Affairs 
Conferences. Good preparation of Foreign Affairs Conferences includes adopting the 
Presidency’s priority document and the Commission Communication well in advance 
of  the  Ministerial  Conference,  as  well  as  consulting  and  taking  due  account  of  the 

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priorities expressed by all Partners. Euro-Mediterranean Ministers may also wish to 
meet  every  year,  during  the  second  half  of  the  year,  to  agree  on  priorities  in  the 
implementation  of  the  Five-Year  Work  Programme  for  the  following  year.  These 
operational improvements, together with more detailed  proposals to be  put  forward 
by  the  ad  hoc  Study  Committee,  will  pave  the  way  for  further  progress  on  the 
institutional structure of the Partnership once the political circumstances allow. 

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