Mediterranean Union

Union for the Mediterranean

The French project of the Mediterranean Union (Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean later, and now Union for the Mediterranean) was launched by French President Nicolas Sarkozy since his presidential campaign. French President then presented it in broad outline, on the occasion of a visit to Tangiers (Morocco), Oct 23, 2007.

In Lisbon, Alain Le Roy, ambassador in charge of implementing the project, detailed for the first time the contents of this French initiative to all the countries concerned. The Mediterranean Union would be a forum for annual or bi-annual exchange between countries bordering the Mediterranean, but not a new institution. It would be a "union project" based on specific programs, such as a water agency responsible for combating pollution of the Mediterranean, or a development agency for small and medium enterprises. Each initiative is only supported by those countries that wish it.

The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean [62 KB] was launched officially in Paris on July 13th, 2008. It aims to infuse new vitality into the partnership, offering more balanced governance and increased visibility. See the European Commission's Communication [62 KB] of 20th May, 2008.

The EU works closely with each of its Mediterranean partners to establish support programmes for economic transition and reform which take into account each country’s specific needs and characteristics. These actions are funded under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).

The European Commission has supported the Barcelona Process with the provision of €16 billion from the Community budget [20 KB] since 1995. Loans from the European Investment Bank amount to approximately €2 billion per year.

• Paris Summit for the Mediterranean, 13 July 2008
• EC projects filmed in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco and released to illustrate the Euromed conference in Paris on 13/7/2008
• Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean - Paris, 13 July 2008
• Final Declaration of the "Union for the Mediterranean ministerial conference - Marseille, 04 November 2008

	About the Union for the Mediterranean
	Articles
	Countries Water Profiles
	Documents
	Financing
	IPEMed proposals in the water sector
	Meetings
	Objectives
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	"Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean" - proposals to enhance the EU-Mediterranean partnership The European Commission adopted last 20 May its proposals for upgrading relations with its Mediterranean partners through the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean. Following the decision of the Spring European Council the Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner presented the outline of the structures of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean which aim at giving renewed vitality and visibility to the EU's relations with Partners in the Mediterranean region. These structures include the setting up of a Secretariat and the creation of a permanent committee of Euro-Mediterranean representatives. The policy paper also outlines ideas for the kind of projects that would constitute visible and tangible efforts at improving the lives and livelihoods of the region's citizens. This latest initiative underlines the EU's continued commitment to the Mediterranean region, an area of vital strategic importance in both political and economic terms. The proposals contained in the Communication will be presented at the inaugural Summit of Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean in Paris on 13 July, 2008.
	A Mediterranean Union? by NYkrinDC
	EC President and ENP Commissioner at the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean” summit EC President Barroso and External Relations and ENP Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will attend the Paris Summit with the EU Heads of State and Government and the countries around the Mediterranean. The aim of this initiative is to strengthen regional cooperation between the EU and the countries bordering the Mediterranean based on the Barcelona Process and the EU's Neighbourhood Policy, by launching the "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean".
	EU heads of state reiterate support to Union for the Mediterranean The EU heads of state or government have called for the acceleration of the work to establish the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) permanent secretariat and the resumption of the implementation of projects identified.   The European Council has reiterated its support to strengthening the partnership with the southern Mediterranean partners in its conclusions adopted March 20.   The relevant reference reads:   "The European Council reiterates its will to strengthen its partnership with its southern Mediterranean partners. It calls for the resumption of the implementation of the projects identified at the Paris Summit. In this connection it is important to accelerate work on the establishment of the Union for the Mediterranean permanent secretariat in Barcelona."   Conclusions (p.13)
	EU leaders approve the principle of a Union for the Mediterranean The European Council has approved the principle of a Union for the Mediterranean, which will include the Member States of the EU and the non-EU Mediterranean coastal states. In a statement annexed to the Conclusions of the European Council, the heads of state or government “invited the Commission to present to the Council the necessary proposals for defining the modalities of what will be called "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean" with a view to the Summit which will take place in Paris on 13 July 2008.”   The EU leaders refer to a number of other issues in their Conclusions, mainly of an economic nature, such as the Lisbon Strategy, including the reinforcement of its external dimension, investing in knowledge and innovation, climate change and energy.   European Council Conclusions
	French EU Presidency programme for Mediterranean Summit French President and President of the European Council, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, will co-chair the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean on Sunday 13, in Paris. On the sidelines of this Summit, President Sarkozy will hold  preparatory working meetings, the Presidency announced in a press release.
	Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean, Paris, 13 July 2008
	Presentation ceremony of the UfM Secretary General The Paris Summit for the Mediterranean (July 2008) decided to create a Secretariat for the UfM (Final Statement, Marseille, 3-4 November, 2008).   Barcelona was chosen unanimously the seat of the UfM Permanent Secretariat. It symbolizes the effort made by Europe and the Mediterranean Countries to build a joint future for the Region.    The Senior Officials appointed on January 12th Mr. Ahmad Masa´deh, Jordanian Ambassador in Brussels, as future Secretary General of the UfM.   On March 4th 2010 a public presentation ceremony of the Secretary General will be held in Barcelona. The event will be attended by foreign ministers of the two co-presidencies and Jordan.   Two main issues are delaying the adoption of the statutes: • The possibility to create a sixth General Deputy Secretary. • Allocation of the portfolios: - Coordination and project finance, SME and business development: Italy - Energy: Greece - Water and Environment: National Palestinian Authority - Research and education: Israel - Social and civil affairs: Malta - Transports: to be allocated   Once the statutes are approved the negotiations should focus on funding and administrative issues. Funding: It must be taken into account that the Secretariat will not have own resources and would have to rely on the contributions of the CE and the 43 member countries.   A draft Road Map is already being developed by the Senior Official to speed up the launch process.    The Secretariat should: • Give an impulse to the UfM Process in terms of follow up, assess projects and search funding opportunities. • Work in operational liaison with all structures of the process, particularly with the co-presidencies, including the elaboration of working documents for the decision-making bodies. • Work as a focal point for projects funding in the framework of the UfM • Have a separate legal personality with an autonomous status    Secretariat’s Building: Pedralbes Royal Palace (XVIIth Century)
	Report of the expert group convened by the Mediterranean Institute on the Mediterranean Union project
	The Mediterranean Union is a union of projects
	The Union for the Mediterranean launched a new regional infrastructure development fund at its meeting in Alexandria on 30 April The union aims to raise more than €1bn ($1.3bn) in equity capital for its Inframed Fund. The fund is led by France's Caisse de Depots, Italy's Cassa depositi e prestiti, Morocco's Caisse de Depot et de Gestion, and Cairo-based investment bank EFG-Hermes. The four institutions have already committed €400m. The fund is also likely to co-operate with other partners from the Gulf. The new structure represents a regional framework for public-private-partnerships which would aid the development of infrastructure across the region. It will participate in financing energy efficiency, transportation, environmental and urban development projects.
	Union for the Mediterranean: Proposals for the Water sector The Institut de Prospective Economique du Monde méditerranéen (institute of economic forecasting for the greater Mediterranean - IPEMed) with the support of experts, business leaders and public officials from both side of the Mediterranean has elaborated proposals for a Mediterranean policy on water sector to fuel the discussions for the forthcoming GMed that will be held in 13 July 2008 in Paris. These proposals are open for comments and available from the EMWIS website. Priority programmes are outlined to secure access to lean water and sanitation for all, to clean up the Mediterranean and to improve water efficiency. These programmes could be supported by institutional instruments such as a Mediterranean water agency and a water knowledge hub.

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