Maltese MEP calls for Euro Med boost

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil has called for a boost to be given to the Euro Med process, which is marking 10 years of existence.

Dr Busuttil was speaking during a debate held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to mark the 10th anniversary of the start of what is also known as the Barcelona Process.

He said that after 10 years of experience, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership has not lived up to expectations but despite this, one should not be pessimistic. The EU should show that it can learn from the experience.

"We should admit that the Barcelona Process may have been far too ambitious and should focus on fewer priorities where we can truly make a difference. We must acknowledge that the problems of our Mediterranean partners are our problems too.

"In immigration, for example, the limitations of the Barcelona Process have turned this into a massive problem at the door of European Union countries themselves - so in helping our Mediterranean partners, we are, in reality, also helping ourselves; it could be a win-win situation."

Dr Busuttil said that the process needs more visibility both with EU citizens as well as with the citizens of the Mediterranean partners in order to understand that this process can affect and benefit them.

During the debate, various MEPs commented that the partnership has not helped solve conflicts in the Mediterranean region. They also noted that "no substantial progress has been achieved in the field of democracy and human rights" and that more progress needs to be made in reducing poverty and bridging the North-South gap.

The EU partner countries in the Euro Med are Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.

The 10th anniversary will be celebrated next month in Barcelona with a meeting for all heads of state of the Euro Med process.