Foreign Ministers from EU Mediterranean countries have agreed to adopt a coordinated approach in order to make the Mediterranean more visible within the European Union’s policies and actions.

The ministers, known as the Olive Group, represented Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Slovenia, met in Taormina in Sicily.

The Foreign Ministry said they had also agreed to set up burden sharing and solidarity mechanisms on immigration matters.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said the ministers had underlined their intention to ensure that the Mediterranean dimension featured on the Union's political agenda. He also insisted that Europe had to speak with one voice and negotiate a fresh agreement with Libya.

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