Maltese embassy hosts discussion on Sarkozy's proposal

A conference on French President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal for a Mediterranean Union was recently organised by the Maltese embassy in France.

Apart from debating the proposal, the conference also discussed Malta's potential contribution to this initiative.

The French plan, endorsed by the European Council last month, proposes a new and pragmatic approach to Euro-Mediterranean dialogue by working on concrete projects based within specific sectors.

Among the main projects envisaged are the de-pollution of the Mediterranean, access to water, and the completion of a Mediterranean electric grid.

The main speakers at the conference were Alain Le Roy - the ambassador appointed by the French President for the Mediterranean Union project, Rudy Salles - vice president of the French National Assembly and future president of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (the headquarters of which is in Malta) and Vicki Ann Cremona, Malta's ambassador in France.

The conference was chaired by Patrice Sanguy, president of the Franco-Maltese Society. Seven Ambassadors and 44 embassies attended.

Mr Le Roy explained the Union's objectives for the Mediterranean, which is seen as incorporating and going beyond the Euro-Mediterranean partnership established in Barcelona in 1995.

On July 13, heads of government will be meeting in Paris to discuss the structures and functioning of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean.

Ms Cremona gave a historical perspective of the relations between Europe and the Mediterranean, and focused on Malta's contribution to this dialogue. She also presented Malta's position with regard to this initiative.