Union for the Mediterranean: Ministers endorse its working modalities and priorities for 2009

On the 3rd and 4th of November Foreign Ministers from all 43 states of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership meet in Marseille to endorse plans for the mandate, structure and institutional governance of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean, an initiative launched at the Paris Summit of 13th July. 
Ministers examine the details of the Commission’s proposals for the functioning of the co-presidency as well as the composition, seat and funding of the Secretariat. The new proposed architecture will build on the existing foundations and structures of the Barcelona Process. Projects are at the core of the restructured Partnership, and in their sourcing and administration, the Secretariat will strive to ensure that the selected projects promote growth, employment, regional cohesion and socio-economic integration.
The Paris Summit has already identified a number of key areas: de-pollution of the Mediterranean; maritime and land highways; civil protection; Mediterranean Solar Plan; Euro-Mediterranean University; and a Mediterranean business development initiative.
Following the Ministers’ endorsement the Secretariat will seek the necessary additional funding from outside the traditional existing budget allocations. These funds are expected to come from the private sector, international financial institutions and bilateral cooperation as well as contributions from EU member States and Mediterranean Partners.
Bearing in mind the Barcelona 5-year work programme and the Declaration of the Paris Summit, ministers will outline their Ministerial meetings agenda and agree on the priorities for the 2009 work programme.
Ministerials are planned for 2009 in the following sectors: Transport; Higher Education; Environment; Trade; Justice, Liberty and Security; Economy and Finance; Sustainable development; and Strengthening the role of women in society.
While the European Neighbourhood Policy will continue to drive bilateral relations in the region with a differentiated approach to the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean will complement this policy by strengthening regional cooperation.

Source of information: Delegation of European Commission to Ukraine
http://www.delukr.ec.europa.eu/