Frendo calls for Euro-Med revival

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo yesterday called for a revitalisation of the Euro-Med Partnership, saying it was greatly needed in the context of the challenges of the international situation.

Dr Frendo presented a paper on the reform of the working methods of the Barcelona Process during the 13th 10-nation Mediterranean Forum in Spain.

"The Barcelona Process is also as strong as its structures and mechanisms to take forward and activate the commitments made politically," he said.

Dr Frendo also called for the strengthening of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures.

The meeting adopted the Alicante Declaration on the Middle East and on the continuation and deepening of the Euro-Arab Dialogue. The declaration emphasised the need for a relaunch of Euro-Arab dialogue and joint initiatives. It also called for the implementation of confidence-building measures to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as the release of soldiers and prisoners and the transfer of tax revenues.