The Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly

The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) is part of the Barcelona process, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, launched in 1995. One of its main aims is to play a strong role in bringing citizens from the two shores of the Mediterranean closer to one another.

Its approach is to replace an atmosphere of confrontation with one of dialogue. It is an important forum for in-depth discussions and almost the only opportunity for Palestinian and Israeli representatives to meet as equals.

With 240 seats, the EMPA brings together 120 parliamentarians from the EU and an equal number from the national parliaments of the EU's 10 Mediterranean partner countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey).The European component is made up of members from the European Parliament and from the EU national parliaments

The president of the European Parliament, Mr Borrell, explained that "our aim is to establish an 'alliance of civilisations' at the very time when some people are seeking to promote a 'clash of civilisations'". He added that the creation of the "Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures" which is based in Cairo is an example of an important action in this direction.

The foundation promotes the dialogue between cultures and contributes to the visibility of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership through intellectual, cultural and civil society exchanges.