Effect on Med. countries discussed

Sixty participants from nine countries discussed the impact of globalisation on Mediterranean countries at the 10th annual conference of the Association of Women of the Mediterranean Region's conference in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The Maltese founder and president of the association, Yana Bland, said participants urged Mediterranean people and their leaders to stand together to ensure equality, restrain imperialism, support the creation of a Palestinian state and re-united Cyprus, create democratic regional and international institutions and promote the role of women in decision making.

Ms Bland said the importance and uniqueness of the Mediterranean region was also discussed at the meeting.

"Mediterranean cultural, historical, and socio-economic heritage has enriched the lives of Mediterranean people over thousands of years," she said.

The next association conference is to be held in Bologna in June.