Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean
Date: 2008-05-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, Union for the Mediterranean, cooperation policy, financing, governance, operation of the Institutions

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 20.5.2008 
COM(2008) 319 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 

Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 

Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

All of the EU's Mediterranean partners have close historical and cultural links with 
Europe. The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership has provided a means to address many 
strategic  regional  questions  relating  to  security,  environmental  protection,  the 
management  of  maritime  resources,  economic  relations  through  trade  in  goods, 
services and investment, energy supplies (producing and transit countries), transport, 
migratory  flows  (origin  and  transit),  regulatory  convergence,  cultural  and  religious 
diversity and mutual understanding. However, the centrality of the Mediterranean for 
Europe, the importance of our links, the depth of our cultural and historical relations 
and  the  urgency  of  the  strategic  common  challenges  we  face,  needs  to  be  revisited 
and given greater political prominence. 

The European Council of 13/14 March 2008 approved the principle  of  a Union for 
the  Mediterranean  and  invited  the  Commission  to  present  proposals  defining  the 
modalities of what will be called “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean”. 

The Commission has made an analysis of the achievements of the Barcelona process 
and its contribution to dialogue, peace, stability and prosperity in this region, shared 
by  the  EU  and  some  of  its  closest  partners.  They  have  also  taken  into  account  the 
shortcomings  and  difficulties  in  this  process  of  multilateral  co-operation  which  the 
EU  has  pursued  since  1995.  This  Communication  takes  these  factors  into  account 
and  sets  out  the  Commission's  proposals  for  developing  the  "Barcelona  process: 
Union for the Mediterranean”. 

The Commission has consulted with all partners involved in the European Union and 
the Mediterranean, in order to gain a clearer picture of their priorities and to see how 
best to channel a new political and practical impetus into the process. 

Over a decade of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation 

5. 

6. 

The  Mediterranean  region  is  an  area  of  vital  strategic  importance  to  the  European 
Union  in  both  political  and  economic  terms.  The  Barcelona  Process  has  been  the 
central  instrument  for  Euro-Mediterranean  relations  since  1995.  Representing  a 
partnership  of  39  governments  and  over  700  million  people,  it  has  provided  a 
framework for continued engagement and development.  

The  Barcelona  Process  is  the  only  forum  within  which  all  Mediterranean  partners 
exchange  views  and  engage  in  constructive  dialogue,  and  political  dialogue  is  a 
regular item on the agenda of the Euro-Mediterranean ministers’ and senior officials’ 
meetings.  It  represents  a  strong  commitment  to  regional  stability  and  democracy 
through regional cooperation and integration, and aims to build on that consensus to 
pursue the path to political and socio-economic reform and modernisation. However, 
the  persistence  of  the  conflict  in  the  Middle  East  has  challenged  and  stretched  the 

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7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

Partnership to the limit of its abilities to preserve the channels of dialogue among all 
partners. 

The  partnership  has  also  overseen  efforts  to  strengthen  democracy  and  political 
pluralism by the expansion of participation in political life and continues to promote 
the embracing of all human rights and freedoms. However, the aim of advancing and 
reforms  and  engaging  more  decisively  in  the  process  of  strengthening  governance 
and participatory democracy, has been tempered by global and regional events.  

A very positive feature of the last decade has been the way in which dialogues with 
different  political  and  economic  agents  -civil  society, 
including  women’s 
organisations and the media – have become more central to the process. 

The  various  cooperation  agreements  and  programmes  in  the  field  of  education  and 
training  have  contributed  to  capacity  building  in  the  countries  concerned  and 
represent  a  major  tool  to  develop  human  capital  and  promote  cultural  and  societal 
values in the region. The Anna Lindh Foundation for the Dialogue between cultures, 
as the unique institution financed by all partners, illustrates the common commitment 
to  establish  dialogue  and  promoting  mutual  understanding  on  cultural  issues  and 
recognises  the  essential  role  of  intercultural  dialogue  to  promote  peaceful 
coexistence.  

The EU remains the main partner of Mediterranean countries both in trade of goods 
and  services.  Significant  progress  has  been  made  towards  the  establishment  of  a 
Euro-Mediterranean free-trade area by 2010. Progressive free trade with the EU has 
favoured  exports  and  investment,  but  services,  and  to  a  lesser  extent  agriculture, 
accounting  for  two-thirds  of  the  GDP,  are  only  now  being  included  in  the  Euro-
Mediterranean Free Trade Area. Slow but steady advances have been made in South-
South  economic  integration  which  remains  below  potential.  There  have  been 
improvements  in  macro-economic  stability,  inflation  down  significantly  over  10 
years, while human development indicators show improvements in health conditions 
and overall life expectancy.  

However,  it  is  also  true  that  further  and  faster  reforms  are  needed  if  the  EU's 
Mediterranean  partners  are  to  reap  the  potential  benefits  of  globalisation  and  free 
trade with the EU and regional integration. Economic reforms, gradual free trade of 
industrial  products  with  the  EU,  and  improvements  in  economic  governance,  have 
not  been  enough  to  attract  the  domestic  and  foreign  investment  needed  to  boost 
standards  of  living  in  the  region.  Growth  has  been  good  but  insufficient.  Reforms 
have been encouraging but short of initial expectations. Free trade with the EU has 
favoured  exports  and  investment.  The  combined  effect  of  these  shortcomings  has 
been  a  slower  than  expected  process.  As  a  consequence  of  the  insufficient  growth 
and continued demographic expansion the prosperity gap between the EU and most 
Mediterranean  countries  has  increased  and  there  has  been  no  real  economic 
convergence. The formula of trade plus investment plus cooperation is as pertinent as 
it was in 1995. While there is more that the EU can do to promote trade, investment 
and co-operation in the region, the greatest need is for the countries of the region to 
take up these opportunities as part of their domestic economic policies.  

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12. 

13. 

In sum, the Partnership has witnessed a strong promotion of multilateral and bilateral 
relations, but now needs a qualitative and quantitative change, to spur investment and 
employment creation and optimise the use of human resources.  

A number of shortcomings need to be addressed if the Partnership is to become the 
multilateral support to jointly agreed policies in political, security, economic, social, 
educational and cultural cooperation. There is a need to reassert in political terms the 
central  importance  of  the  Mediterranean  on  the  political  agenda  of  all  participants. 
There is mutual concern about the perceived lack of co-ownership by Mediterranean 
partners. Another area to be addressed is the lack of institutional balance between the 
weight  of  the  EU  on  one  side,  and  the  Mediterranean  partners  on  the  other.  An 
additional  deficit  of  the  Barcelona  Process  has  been  its  weak  visibility  and  the 
perception by citizens that little is done to tackle their daily problems and their real 
needs.  More  engagement  and  new  catalysts  are  now  needed  to  transform  the 
objectives of the Barcelona Declaration into tangible realities. 

Scope and main objectives 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

The  challenge  of  a  new  initiative  is  to  enhance  multilateral  relations,  increase  co-
ownership  of  the  process  and  make  it  more  visible  to  citizens.  Now  is  the  time  to 
inject further momentum into the Barcelona Process.  

It  should  build  on  and  reinforce  the  successful  elements  of  the  existing  Barcelona 
Process. Thus the Barcelona Declaration, its goals and its cooperation areas remain 
valid  and  its  "three  chapters  of  cooperation"  (Political  Dialogue,  Economic 
Cooperation  and  Free  Trade,  and  Human,  Social  and  Cultural  Dialogue)  will 
continue  to  constitute  the  backbone  of  Euro-Mediterranean  relations.  The  5-year 
work  programme  adopted  by  the  2005  Barcelona  Summit  (including  the  fourth 
chapter  of  cooperation  on  "Migration,  Social  Integration,  Justice  and  Security" 
introduced  at  that  stage),  the  2008  annual  work  programme  adopted  by  Foreign 
Affairs  Ministers  in  Lisbon  in  November  2007  and  the  conclusions  of  the  sector 
ministerial meetings will remain in force. 

Following  the  views  expressed  by  most  EU  Member  States  and  Mediterranean 
Partners,  the  Commission  considers  that  the  current  structures  of  the  Barcelona 
Process,  and  in  particular  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Senior  officials  meetings,  the 
Euro-Mediterranean  Committee  meetings  and  the  experts’  meetings  should  be 
preserved  and  reinforced  where  possible.  Political  and  economic  dialogues  are  a 
major  feature  of  the  multilateral  dimension  of  Euro-Mediterranean  relations  and 
should continue to operate.  

The  “Barcelona  Process:  Union  for  the  Mediterranean”  will  be  a  multilateral 
partnership. By focusing on regional and trans-national projects it should increase the 
potential  for  regional  integration  and  cohesion.  It  will  encompass  all  EU  Member 
States and the European Commission, together with the other members and observers 
of  the  Barcelona  Process  (Mauritania,  Morocco,  Algeria,  Tunisia,  Libya,  Egypt, 
Jordan, Palestinian Authority, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Albania), and the 
other  Mediterranean  coastal  states  (Croatia,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  Montenegro 
and Monaco).  

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18. 

It  will  be  complementary  to  EU  bilateral  relations  with  these  countries  which  will 
continue  under  existing  policy  frameworks  such  as  the  European  Neighbourhood 
Policy, and, in the case of Mauritania, the African, Caribbean, Pacific framework. It 
will also be complementary to the regional dimension of the EU enlargement policy, 
which includes the accession negotiations and the pre-accession process. It will also 
be coherent and complementary with the EU- Africa Strategy. 

19. 

This new initiative will give a new impulse to the Barcelona Process in at least three 
very important ways:  

– 

– 

– 

by upgrading the political level of the EU's relationship with its Mediterranean 
partners; 

by providing more co-ownership to our multilateral relations; and  

by  making  these  relations  more  concrete  and  visible  through  additional 
regional and sub-regional projects, relevant for the citizens of the region.  

All dimensions of the process will be open to all participants on an equal footing. 

Upgrading of relations  

20. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

the 

A  clear  signal  of  the  intention  to  upgrade  the  relationship  will  be  the  proposed 
decision to hold biennial summits of Heads of Government. The first Summit, due to 
take  place  in  Paris  on  13  July  2008  under  the  incoming  French  Presidency,  should 
take 
the 
Mediterranean”,  and  establish  its  structure,  functioning  and  main  goals.  The 
conclusions of the summit should also include a political declaration, and possibly a 
short list of concrete regional projects to be set in motion. The conclusions should be 
adopted by consensus.  

launch  “Barcelona  Process:  Union 

formal  decision 

for 

to 

Subsequent  summits  will  follow  this  format  by  adopting  a  political  declaration, 
endorsing a broad two-year work programme for the “Barcelona Process: Union for 
the Mediterranean” and agreeing on a number of concrete regional projects. Foreign 
Affairs Ministerial meetings will also take place between summits to review progress 
in  the  implementation  of  the  summit  conclusions  and  prepare  the  next  summit 
meetings.  

In  principle  the  summit  meetings  should  take  place  alternately  in  the  EU  and  in 
Mediterranean partner countries. Countries hosting summit or ministerial meetings of 
the  “Barcelona  Process:  Union  for  the  Mediterranean”  should  invite  all  countries 
which are parties to the initiative.  

The  Euro-Mediterranean  Parliamentary  Assembly  (EMPA)  has  reaffirmed  itself  as 
the  Parliamentary  dimension  of  the  Barcelona  Process  providing  a  framework  of 
debate, open dialogue and free exchange of views. It gives impetus to the Partnership 
by  adopting  resolutions  and  recommendations.  The  role  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Assembly  will  be  the  legitimate  parliamentary  representation  of  a  Union  for  the 
Mediterranean.  The  Commission  strongly  supports  the  strengthening  of  the  role  of 
the EMPA in relations with Mediterranean partners 

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Increased co-ownership 

24. 

During  the  consultations  and  contacts  held  by  the  Commission  it  has  become  clear 
that all countries agree on the need to build a stronger partnership that should come 
through  greater  co-ownership  of  the  different  processes.  Two  proposals  have 
received overall support from partners: the establishment of a co-presidency and the 
setting-up of a joint secretariat. 

Co-Presidency 

25. 

26. 

27. 

Establishing  a  co-presidency  will  increase  and  improve  the  balance  and  the  joint 
ownership of our cooperation. They will be the co-presidents of the Partnership as a 
whole.  One  of  the  co-presidents  will  be  from  the  EU,  and  the  other  from  the 
Mediterranean partner countries.  

The establishment of a co-presidency from the EU side must be compatible with the 
provisions on the external representation of the European Union in the Treaty of the 
European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community. For the first 
Summit, the rotating EU Presidency will hold the Presidency from the EU side. From 
the  entry  into  force  of  the  Lisbon  Treaty,  the  Presidency  on  the  EU  side  will 
correspond  to  the  President  of  the  European  Council  and  the  President  of  the 
Commission  (at  the  level  of  Heads  of  State  and  Government),  and  the  High 
Representative  /  Vice  President  of  the  Commission,  at  the  level  of  Ministers  of 
Foreign Affairs.  

Given the complex regional environment, the selection of the co-president from the 
Mediterranean partner countries will require consensus. The co-presidency from the 
Mediterranean  side  should  be  chosen  for  a  period  of  two  years.  The  country 
assuming the co-presidency on the Mediterranean Partner side may host the summit 
of the “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean”.  

Institutional governance and Secretariat 

28. 

29. 

Another key instrument for enhancing co-ownership and promoting a more balanced 
partnership will be an improved system of institutional governance and the creation 
of  a  new  secretariat.  In  order  to  make  the  “Barcelona  Process:  Union  for  the 
Mediterranean” more visible and relevant, it should have a strong project focus.  

Improved  institutional  governance:  A  reinforced  and  more  balanced  and  enhanced 
governance  will  be  attained  by  setting-up  a  committee  of  specifically  appointed 
the 
representatives 
Commission.  They  will  constitute  a  Brussels  based  committee  to  be  called  “Joint 
Permanent Committee” composed of permanent representatives from the respective 
missions in Brussels.  

from  all  Member  States,  Mediterranean  Partners  and 

30. 

The Joint Permanent Committee:  

– 

 would be steered by the representatives of the co-presidencies; 

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31. 

32. 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

would  prepare  the  meetings  of  the  Senior  Officials  and  Euro-Mediterranean 
Committee meetings and ensure the appropriate follow up; 

would assist the co-presidencies in the preparation of the Summits and Foreign 
Affairs and thematic Ministerial meetings; 

may act as well as a mechanism to react rapidly if a crisis situation arises in the 
region that requires the consultation of Euro-Mediterranean partners; 

membership and co-presidencies of the Permanent Committee will be the same 
as the Senior Officials / Euro-Mediterranean Committee meetings; 

the setting-up of a Permanent Euro-Mediterranean Committee that would meet 
regularly  could  lead  to  less  frequent  Senior  Officials  /  Euro-Mediterranean 
Committee meetings. 

that 

The  Secretariat:  In  the  light  of  the  different  views  expressed,  the  Commission  has 
concluded 
the 
Mediterranean”  should  be  asked  to  perform  the  role  of  making  proposals  for  joint 
initiatives to be decided by the political bodies and to ensure the necessary follow-up 
of project-related decisions taken by the Heads of State and Government.  

the  “Barcelona  process:  Union  for 

the  Secretariat  of 

The  Secretariat  could  have  a  separate  legal  personality  with  an  autonomous  status. 
Detailed  modalities  will  be  submitted  for  approval  by  the  Euro  Mediterranean 
Foreign Affairs Ministers in November 2008. 

– 

– 

Tasks:  The  Secretariat  should  gather  project  initiatives  (from  various  sources 
such  as  sector  ministerial  meetings,  national  or  regional  authorities,  regional 
groupings, private sector, civil society), examine them, and suggest projects to 
the Euro-Mediterranean Committee that will act as a clearing house. Once the 
projects  are  accepted  by  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Committee  they  will  be 
submitted  for  approval,  through  the  Foreign  Affairs  Ministers  conferences,  to 
the  Summit.  If  endorsed,  the  Summit  will  instruct  the  Secretariat  to  give  the 
necessary follow-up in terms of initiating the promotion of the projects, and the 
search for partners for their implementation. The funding and implementation 
of  projects  will  be  pursued  on  a  case-by-case  basis  by  the  various  interested 
partners  and  according  to  their  own  procedures.  The  secretariat  will  report  to 
the Euromed Committee. 

Composition:  The  Secretariat  will  be  composed  of  officials  seconded  from 
participants  in  the  Process.  The  objective  is  to  achieve  a  sufficiently  higher 
level  of  involvement  of  Mediterranean  partners  to  increase  co-ownership  and 
participation. There will be one General Secretary from one side and a Deputy 
Secretary  General  from  the  other  side  to  be  selected  by  consensus.  The 
Secretary  General  will  appoint  the  staff  of  the  Secretariat  on  the  basis  of 
competence and geographical balance. The organisation of the secretariat and 
the  composition  of  the  staff  will  be  approved  by  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Committee.  

– 

their  respective 
Funding:  The  seconded  officials  will  be  funded  by 
administrations. The running costs of the Secretariat (support staff, equipment 

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etc)  will  be  funded  on  an  equal  basis  by  the  EU  and  the  Mediterranean 
partners.  

– 

The headquarters will be decided by consensus. The host country will provide 
the premises for the Secretariat free of charge. 

Projects 

33. 

The  project  dimension  should  be  at  the  heart  of  the  “Barcelona  Process:  Union  for 
the  Mediterranean”.  The  programmes  developed  under  this  initiative  should  have  a 
strong  potential  to  promote  regional  cohesion  and  economic  integration,  and  to 
develop infrastructural interconnections. They should constitute visible and relevant 
projects for the citizens of the region.  

34. 

The selection process will take into account:  

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

the  regional,  sub-regional  and  trans-national  character  of  proposed  projects, 
including the possibility of cooperation among a limited number of countries;  

their size, relevance and interest for all Partners;  

their  potential  to  promote  balanced  and  sustainable  development,  regional 
integration, cohesion and interconnections; 

their financial feasibility including the maximisation of private sector financing 
and participation; and  

their maturity or degree of preparedness to be rapidly launched.  

35. 

36. 

A  number  of  project  proposals  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  region  and  meeting  the 
criteria outlined above should be ready to be examined at the Summit planned to take 
place on 13 July. The Commission has identified 4 such projects that it considers to 
be highly relevant to promote growth, employment, increased regional cohesion and 
sustainability  for  the  Mediterranean.  These  projects  are  attached  in  Annex  I  to  the 
present Communication and submitted to the consideration of partners.  

The  priorities  set  out  in  the  Regional  Indicative  Programme  will  continue  to  apply 
and any potential EC contribution to the new regional projects in Annex I will not be 
financed  at  the  expense  of  the  existing  bilateral  allocations  under  the  European 
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument or the Pre-accession Instrument (or in the 
case of Mauritania the European Development Fund).  

Funding  

37. 

The  EU  and  its  Member  States  already  provide  significant  funding  in  the 
Mediterranean  region  (see  Annex  II  for  details).  To  bring  added  value  to  existing 
arrangements,  the  “Barcelona  Process:  Union  for  the  Mediterranean”  should  be 
designed  to  mobilise  additional  funding  for  the  region,  mainly  through  regional 
projects.  Its  added  value  will  very  much  depend  on  its  capacity  to  attract  more 
financial resources for regional projects.  

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38. 

While there can be no prior earmarking of EU funds, certain projects which fit with 
the objectives of EU regional programmes can be considered for funding. Insofar as 
funding from the EU budget is concerned, the normal selection and procedural rules 
will continue to apply.  

39. 

The Commission believes that additional funding for regional projects and activities 
should come mainly from the following sources:  

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Private sector participation;  

Bilateral cooperation from EU MS;  

Contributions from Mediterranean partners; 

International financial institutions, regional banks and other bilateral funds; 

the  Euro-Mediterranean  Investment  and  Partnership  Facility  (FEMIP)  was 
created  in  2002  as  a  tool  to  foster  private  sector  development  in  the 
Mediterranean region to facilitate a higher economic growth. FEMIP combined 
EIB  loans  with  EU-budget  resources  to  provide  technical  assistance,  risk 
capital and interest rate subsidies. The Facility was reinforced in 2005, after a 
review. 

The  ENPI  (approx.  €  50  million  per  year   already  programmed  for  the  period 
2007-2010),  the  Neighbourhood  Investment  Facility  and  the  cross-border 
cooperation  instrument  within  the  ENPI,  as  well  as  the  other  instruments 
applicable to the countries covered by the initiative.  

Conclusions and next steps  

40. 

The Commission invites the European Council at its meeting in June 2008 to discuss 
and endorse the proposals contained in this Communication. They can then become 
the agreed position of the EU to be put to the inaugural meeting of the “Barcelona 
Process:  Union  for  the  Mediterranean”  planned  for  13  July  2008  in  Paris.  The 
Commission  will  fully  involve  the  European  Parliament  and  the  EMPA  in  the 
ongoing discussions on this new initiative.  

* * * 

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ANNEX I 

PROJECT PROPOSALS 

Barcelona Process:Union for the Mediterranean 

Examples of initiatives. 

The  Commission  has  identified  four  examples  of  initiatives  that  meet  the  requirements  set 
down  in  the  Communication.  This  is  an  indicative  and  not  exhaustive  list,  opened  to  other 
suggestions  and  proposals.  The  initiatives  comply  with  the  need  to  ensure  reinforced 
cooperation  both  at  regional  and  sub-regional  levels,  have  a  real  potential  for  regional 
integration, and are both inclusive and non discriminatory. These initiatives are coherent and 
complementary with a vast range of activities and programmes that Commission has carried 
out both on a regional and bilateral level in the framework of the EuroMed partnership. All 
projects,  but  one  (civil  protection),  have  strong  potential  to  mobilise  funding  from  different 
IFIs,  encourage  the  creation  of  Private  Public  Partnerships  and  attract  investments  from  the 
private sector.  

Coastal  motorways.  The  transport  sector  has  been  identified  as  one  of  the  priorities  of  the 
EuroMed partnership. The coastal motorway concept emerged from the EuroMed partnership 
as a combination of integrated goods transport services along major transport routes including 
a  coastal  stretch  and  is  designed  to  make  trans-Mediterranean  trade  more  fluid.  The 
Barcelona Process:Union for the Mediterranean would offer the prospect of speeding up the 
process, facilitating the mobilisation of stakeholders and financial resources, and embarking 
on  the  development  of  other  routes/links/ports/markets.  In  this  connection,  the  EuroMed 
transport working groups on "coastal motorways" and "infrastructures" should be supported in 
their continuing efforts to identify priority ports. Once these have been selected, the financial 
resources  required  will  need  to  be  mobilised  (combination  of  national,  multilateral,  private 
and Community funds, in particular the NIF).  

Linking up the trans-Maghreb Motorway (AMA). The construction of the AMA is one of 
the  most  important  infrastructure  initiatives  of  the  Arab  Maghreb  Union  (AMU).  It  is 
designed to establish an area of regional economic integration between the five members of 
the  AMU  (Mauritania,  Morocco,  Algeria,  Tunisia  and  Libya).  Three  of  these  countries 
(Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) have already made considerable progress on this nationally. 
In  order  to  complete  this  project  in  terms  of  its  full  magnitude  and  purpose,  these  three 
countries  still  need  to  decide  to  link  up  their  respective  networks  along  a  route  already 
mapped out. Nevertheless, this construction of international networks can achieve its aim of 
facilitating  the  movement  of  goods  and  people  only  if  it  is  accompanied  by  government 
measures  aimed  at  liberalising  trade  and  removing  the  various  non-tariff  obstacles  that 
hamper  trade.  The  possible  introduction  of  a  concession  scheme  might  be  of  considerable 
interest to the private sector. 

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De-pollution of the Mediterranean and sound Environmental Governance. The quality of 
the Mediterranean environment has been increasingly affected by unsustainable development. 
The  EuroMed  Ministers  of  Environment  decided  in  2006  to  launch  the  Horizon  2020 
Initiative,  and  adopted  a  timetable  in  this  respect  for  the  period  2007-2013.  The  main 
objective  of  this  programme  is  to  accelerate  these  ongoing  initiatives  to  de-pollute  the 
Mediterranean. Three main components will be developed: support to the implementation of 
the Horizon  2020 Initiative  and Promotion  of Sound  Environmental Governance,  support to 
pollution  reduction  investments  and  set  up  a  Mediterranean  Shared  Environmental 
Information System (SEIS). Several regional and bilateral programmes are under preparation 
or implementation in the framework of the ENPI, and will directly contribute to the objectives 
of the "de-pollution of the Mediterranean. In this context, the added value of the BP: UpM is 
twofold:  first,  it  will  reinforce  the  political  dimension  of  this  depollution  of  the 
Mediterranean;  second,  it  will  facilitate  the  financial  leverage  for  pollution  reduction 
investments, and capacity building projects. 

Civil protection. At European level, a Community mechanism (Monitoring and Information 
Centre - MIC) was set up in 2001 with a view to promoting closer cooperation in the field of 
civil  protection  assistance.  Strengthening  this  type  of  cooperation  in  the  Mediterranean  is 
particularly  important  as  the  region  faces  major  and  increased  risks  of  disasters,  notably  on 
account  of  the  effects  of  climate  change.  One  specific  dimension  of  this  issue  is  maritime 
safety and the role of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). At regional level, the 
EuroMed Programme for Disaster Prevention, Preparation and Response (DPPR) is designed 
to develop heightened awareness of the exposure to disasters and of the response capabilities 
in the region, to strengthen the measures for preventing existing risks at international, national 
and local level, and to enhance the response capabilities of those concerned. This programme 
is  aimed,  therefore,  at  strengthening  cooperation  between  key  civil  protection  actors  and  at 
progressively forging close links between the Mediterranean countries that are partners in the 
MIC. It will operate in close collaboration with the European Civil Protection Mechanism and 
will  also  ensure  that  there  is  synergy  with  the  activities  of  the  Commission,  the  Council  of 
Europe  and  the  UNO.  Accordingly,  it  represents  a  political  strengthening  of  the  EuroMed 
partnership that offers genuine value added at regional level, that plays a federative role from 
a  political  viewpoint,  that  is  visible  to  the  population  at  large  and  that  has  the  potential  to 
bring  about  sub-regional  integration.  The  fresh  political  impetus  provided  by  the  PdB:UpM 
will  add  considerably  to  the  programme's  scope  and,  where  appropriate,  attract  additional 
funding.  

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Mediterranean  Solar  Plan.  In  2007  the  EuroMed  Energy  Ministers  restated  the  general 
objectives  of  cooperation,  namely  closer  integration  of  energy  markets  and  promotion  of 
sustainable  development,  including  solar  energy.  The  development  and  implementation  of  a 
Mediterranean  Solar  Plan  must  be  an  integral  part  of  this  framework.  Active  promotion  of 
solar  energy  in  the  region  is  in  the  interests  of  all  parties.  The  EU  is  at  the  cutting  edge  as 
regards  the  relevant  technologies  and  is  keen  to  develop  them  further.  Ultimately,  the  EU 
could be an importer of solar electricity. The Plan in question will initially have to mobilise 
the  political  authorities  at  the  highest  level  and  the  multilateral  and  financial  institutions 
within the framework of a regional conference. The European Commission could contribute 
to  the  preparation  of  the  Plan  and  could  offer  a  framework  for  maintaining  the  necessary 
dialogue  on  energy  policies  and  sectoral  strategies,  on  the  one  hand,  and  could  provide  the 
back-up  for  the  Plan's  implementation,  on  the  other.  This  work  could  be  carried  out  in 
conjunction  with  the  PdB:UpM  Secretariat  by  using,  for  example,  the  resources  of  the 
MED-EMIP technical assistance project1. Other parties could also be involved. 

*** 

1 

"Euro-Mediterranean  Energy  Market  Integration  Project",  which  was  launched  in  2008  using  MED 
funds. 

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ANNEX II 

EU Financial Support to the Barcelona Process 

Between 2000 and 2006 the EC supported the Barcelona Process through its MEDA budget 
line.  Since  2007  support  has  been  provided  under  the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy 
Instrument (ENPI) budget line for the Barcelona countries.  

From 2000-2006, the Commission made €4.6 billion  available to the eight Barcelona Process 
partner countries* in bilateral cooperation and regional programmes. In 2007 under ENPI the 
Commission made € 1.3 billion  available to ten** partner countries. 

Total financial support for 2000-2007 is € 5.9 billion.  

Country details:  

Bilateral Cooperation
Algeria
West Bank and Gaza 
Egypt 
Jordan
Lebanon
M orocco
Syria
Tunisia
Israel
Lib ya
Total bilateral

Regional Cooperation

TOTAL

Commitments € millions

2000-2006 under 
MEDA

2007 under ENPI

339
522
593
331
133
980
180
518
0
0
3595

1052
4647

57
453
137
62
50
190
20
103
2
2
1076

178
1254

* Algeria, West Bank and Gaza, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia. 

** Israel and Libya began receiving bi-lateral assistance in 2007. 

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Official Development Bilateral Assistance Grants to MED Countries - Commitments - million dollars 

France 

Italy 

Germany 

Netherlands 

Sweden       Spain           UK          DAC EU 

Ye ar 
2004 

2005 

2006 

Recipient 
Algeria 
Egypt 
Jordan 
Lebanon 
Libya 
Morocco 
Palestinian adm.areas 
Syria 
T unisia 

TO TAL MED 

Algeria 
Egypt 
Jordan 
Lebanon 
Libya 
Morocco 
Palestinian adm.areas 
Syria 
T unisia 

TO TAL MED 

Algeria 
Egypt 
Jordan 
Lebanon 
Libya 
Morocco 
Palestinian adm.areas 
Syria 
T unisia 

TO TAL MED 

172.4
127.1
5.9
51.2

258.4
33.4
23.1
96.1

767.5

234.3
124.6
5.1
56.0
2.5
245.5
19.4
30.7
95.9

813.9

171.8
130.6
4.8
75.7
2.4
240.9
47.3
29.0
105.3

2.8
16.5
0.6
4.8

4.6
10.3
6.6
23.7

69.8

5.5
7.7
1.2
1.9
8.8
3.6
13.1
1.3
22.0

65.3

7.1
6.9
1.0
45.5
2.7
7.0
6.5
9.1
24.4

4.5
76.4
50.4
13.1

71.9
46.4
21.1
19.0

302.7

17.1
60.7
22.0
1.4
0.2
2.2
63.4
19.4
15.6

202.1

5.2
89.3
41.7
45.9
3.9
80.0
82.4
39.1
24.4

0.1
8.9
0.5
0.2

5.4
16.5
4.2
0.6

36.3

0.1
38.7
0.6
0.1
0.2
0.4
28.0
2.2
0.5

70.6

0.1
41.9
0.1
13.3

0.1
38.6

0.6 
4.6 
1.2 
0.9 

0.1 
33.9 
0.0 
0.3 

41.6 

2.2 
0.5 
0.3 
0.4 

2.4 
51.6 
2.3 
0.7 

60.4 

0.6 
1.7 
0.1 
9.4 

52.3 
0.1 
0.9 

5.4   
2.3 
2.3 
3.3 

106.1 
20.7 
0.7 
6.8   

147.5 

4.2   
3.7 
3.2 
2.5 
0.1   
50.0 
24.8 
1.1   
5.1   
94.7 

46.9   
4.4   
14.4 
15.1 
0.0   
73.3 
39.2   
2.6   
6.0   

5.6
4.7
0.3

0.1
29.5
0.1

188.2
265.3
70.5
77.8

460.6
238.9
60.0
150.5

40.2

1511.6

2.1
6.1
0.6

23.5
0.2

275.8
256.3
41.2
65.2
12.3
327.6
258.3
61.0
143.6

32.3

1441.3

0.9
6.9

35.1

245.3
287.1
67.7
9.5

416.4
351.9
82.9
166.3

807.8            110.1            411.8

94.2              65.1             201.8              42.9          1627.0

Support to the Palestinians 

As  well  as  receiving  financial  assistance  from  the  MEDA  and  ENPI  budget  lines,  the 
Palestinians are beneficiaries of funding from various other budget lines including those for 
the  Peace  Process,  UNRWA  (for  providing  social  services  for  4.5  million  refugees),  ECHO 
(humanitarian aid) and the Food Aid and Food Security budget line. 

From these various budget lines € 2.4 billion has been made available  from 2000-2007. This 
represents an average of € 300 million per year. 

Financial  support  to  the  Palestinians  has  sharply  increased  over  the  last  few  years  due  to 
increasing needs and the evolving political situation.  

While the average annual EC support amounted to € 245 million in the period 2000 to 2004, 
in  2005  the  EC  support  reached  € 280  million,   € 340  million  in  2006  and  € 550  million  in 
2007. Member States are equally important donors contributing € 315 million in 2005, € 385 
million in 2006 and € 405 million in 2007.  

Total EU support to the Palestinians reached therefore € 955 million in 2007 (€ 725 million in 
2006 and € 595 million in 2005). 

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