Bridging for co-operation

The European Union believes that its economic growth and prosperity are directly linked to stability and peace not only within the member states but also in neighbouring countries. The 2004 enlargement extended the EU's frontiers to the east and south.

Malta's geographical position made it the southernmost EU member state. This is an advantage for our foreign relations with the North African countries bordering the Mediterranean, which thanks to our accession to the EU, have continued to prosper.

Our politicians have always recognised the need of having good relations with our southern neighbours. This, I believe, is something that both political parties represented in Parliament agree on. That is why it comes as no surprise that our country is one of the major key players in the Euro-Med partnership which started in 1995.

During the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Foreign Ministers, held in Barcelona on November 27-28, 1995, a framework of political, social and economic relations was started between the EU member states and the Partners of the Southern Mediterranean, referred to as the MEDA countries.

Since joining the EU, Malta has dedicated itself not only to reaping the advantages of becoming a member state, but also in voicing the specific needs of the Mediterranean region and EU partners within the region.

The Europe we know today is a unique source of opportunity to strengthen collaboration with its neighbours. The EU recognises the importance of promoting sub-regional patterns of interaction in the Mediterranean. The increase of recent initiatives only proves that the EU is firmly dedicated to the region.

Our country cannot dissociate itself from developments taking place in the Mediterranean region. Back in 1975, Malta insisted on the insertion of the Mediterranean chapter in the Helsinki Final Act of the then CSCE (Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe). For the first time the Mediterranean region was included in the international agenda.

Malta continues to help maintain the already high profile of the Mediterranean on the Union's agenda. It is commonly understood that the political stability and economic well-being of the region are crucial not only to Europe but more specifically to Malta itself.

The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, of which I form part, is also recognising the important role that Malta could play to further develop relations in the region.

In a recent suggestion made to the Committee on International Trade in its motion for a resolution on the Construction of the Euro-Med Free Trade Zone, Malta was proposed as a bridge between Europe and North Africa.

It was also suggested that the EU should make full use of this bridge to further our relations to our neighbours.

Relations must be based on the political efforts at securing a peaceful region, democratic principles and respect of human rights these principles must be supported with the promotion of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue.

Work towards lasting security and stability within the region are of utmost importance for common co-operation and growth. The EU must engage in the recognition of Lebanon's sovereignty and the peaceful coexistence of Israel and the Palestinian State.

This may be achieved and the Euro-Med Free Trade Zone may be a stepping-stone to reach our aim. The free trade area was the first step in making the EU what it is today, a reference region for peace, stability and prosperity. This same model may influence positively towards the cessation of war and terrorism in the Euro-Mediterranean and Middle East.

To assist reconstruction and financial loans, in a more efficient manner, the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) should be changed into a genuine autonomous Euro-Mediterranean subsidiary of the European Investment Bank. This would equip the institution to deal with the permanent and regular demands, which are always on the increase.

Support must also be provided to countries, which are a source of migration, so that they will be equipped to handle the fight against illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings. The strengthening of Frontex, to put a stop to all migratory flows linked to organised crime together with a group effort with all our Mediterranean partner countries, particularly those in North Africa, on a genuine cross-border policy on immigration are of extreme importance.

A bridge is a structure that allows people to link. Being recognised as a key player for the success of this link between regions and cultures is of great satisfaction. Like the major role that our country contributed when our island hosted the Bush-Gorbachev summit in 1989, which led to the end of the world divide brought by the Cold War, Malta can once again be a major player in uniting cultures and people by bridging Europe to North Africa.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist Member of the European Parliament

david.casa@europarl.europa.eu, www.davidcasa.eu