Conclusions of the 9th Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers Meeting

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership met on 5-6 November 2007 in Lisbon. The meeting provided an opportunity to assess the progress made in the cooperation during 2007 and to agree on priorities for the year to come.

In a 21-page document, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to pursue their efforts to realise the objectives set out 12 years ago: to establish a common area of peace and stability, to create an area of shared prosperity and to develop a partnership in social, cultural and human affairs. They welcomed the fact that, despite the prevailing tension in the Middle East, the Euro-Med partners have succeeded in maintaining a constructive dialogue covering many key issues, and stress the importance of the European Neighbourhood Policy.

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/er/96969.pdf

EU Troika relations with Maghreb countries, a "model to follow"

"A political will now exists to resume direct dialogue between the EU and the Arab Maghreb countries in an attempt to reinforce multilateral action", Portuguese Foreign Minister Luís Amado said during a press conference following a Troika meeting between the EU and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) on 5 November in Lisbon. The main objective of this meeting was to stimulate the process of economic integration of the Arab Maghreb countries and to resume the direct dialogue process among these countries and the European Union. For Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and ENP, the Maghreb countries are closer to the European Union and their relation with Europe is a model to follow. The bet is now on economic development, job creation and investment.

http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/vEN/Noticias_Documentos/20071105amadouma.htm

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner in Rabat

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner with responsibility for external relations and neighbourhood policy was in Rabat on 7 November. She met the new Prime Minister, Mr Abbas El Fassi, and discussed with him the implementation of the decisions taken by the EU-Morocco Association Council on 23 July this year which opened the debate on the ‘advanced status’ requested by Morocco. In 2007 Morocco received a financial allocation of €190 million.

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1647&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Benita Ferrero-Waldner hopeful of Middle East progress

For all its many achievements, "the Euro-Mediterranean partnership has not yet fulfilled its entire potential, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and ENP, acknowledged in a speech to Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers on 6 November. The main reason, she said, is what she called “the running sore of the Middle East conflict,” but she went on to state: “We are, I hope, on the brink of making progress towards settling this terrible longstanding conflict.”

The Commissioner listed the Euro-Mediterranean partnership’s successes, including moving closer to a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area, the ratification of Association Agreements with all partners except one, the conclusion of European Neighbourhood Action Plans with all partners except two, agreement on a Euro-Mediterranean Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism, the ‘Euromed and the Media’ initiative and the creation of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures. She also touched upon ideas such as that of French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a Euro-Mediterranean Union, saying that “they could add political momentum for regional cooperation and are welcome. The Commission should be fully associated and we are ready to cooperate.” 

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/07/682&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Ferrero-Waldner underlines the importance of Euro-Mediterranean energy cooperation

In a speech at the opening of the EU-Africa-Middle East Energy Conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on 1 November 2007, the European Commissioner for External Relations and ENP, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, stressed the role of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership in future energy relations. “We have developed comprehensive energy programmes in the framework of the Euromed process" she said, adding that “We are working with the countries of the Maghreb to promote the regional integration of their electricity markets. And we are working in the Mashreq region to enhance the gas sector’s security and infrastructure.” She also spoke of bilateral agreements with countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy. She finally touched on the issue of renewable energy sources.

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/07/678&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Commissioner Verheugen discusses Palestinian business challenges

Günter Verheugen, European Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, met Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Palestinian business representatives in Ramallah on 2 November to discuss the economic challenges facing Palestinian entrepreneurs. The meetings took place during Mr. Verheugen's visit to the region, which also included meetings in Israel and Jordan.
http://www.delwbg.cec.eu.int/en/whatsnew/vice_president.htm

Ukraine: international conference on extradition

On 5-6 November, the Council of Europe and the European Commission held an international conference on extradition in Kyiv. The conference was conducted within the EU-funded Project on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters in Ukraine (UPIC). Participants, from ten countries, reviewed and discussed a number of issues related to extradition under the Council of Europe Convention on Extradition. The conference was also aimed at explaining to non-EU member states participants the European arrest warrant. It provided representatives of Ukraine's Interior and Justice Ministries and Prosecutor General's Office with opportunities to develop a network of contacts to improve implementation of the Convention and its Protocols.

http://www.delukr.ec.europa.eu/home.html

Ukraine: conference on implementation of civic education

On 8 November, the EU-funded project ‘Civic Education Ukraine’ organized a one-day project conference together with the Kyiv City Education Department and Kyiv State Pedagogical University of Grinchenko on “Implementation of Civic Education and Up-bringing in Modern Schools”. Two publications will be produced after the conference.

http://www.delukr.ec.europa.eu/press_releases.html?id=44993

Moldova: equipment for the Border Guard Service

The Republic of Moldova will receive equipment worth €730 000 in the framework of EC-funded project BOMMOLUK. On 24 October 2007 some equipment was already handed over to the Border Guard Service to improve the work of the Risk Analysis Department.

BOMMOLUK aims at improving management at the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border. The project is implemented by the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine who identified the needs for equipment together with the partner services.

http://www.delmda.ec.europa.eu/whatsnew/pdf/equipment_241007-en.pdf