“THE BARCELONA PROCESS: UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN”

Editorial by Antonio Paoletti President – Euro-Med TDS The conference held in Paris on 13th July 2008, meant an important cornerstone for the development of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. “The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean” is the evolution of the project outlined in Barcelona in 1995. As from the Joint Declaration, “The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean will build on the acquis and reinforce the achievements and successful elements of the Barcelona Process”. The final document of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean, 13 July, ends with practical proposals, and we like this because we are entrepreneurs. In particular I want to point out the key initiatives on:

- Maritime and land highways:
The Mediterranean is a sea that joins, not separates, its people. It is also a highway for commerce. Easy and safe access and flow of goods and people, on land and sea, is essential for maintaining relations and enhancing regional trade. The development of motorways of the sea, including the connection of ports, throughout the entire Mediterranean basin as well as the creation of coastal motorways and the modernisation of the trans-Maghreb train, will increase the flow and freedom of the movement of people and goods. Particular attention should be devoted to cooperation in the field of maritime security and safety, in a perspective of global integration in the Mediterranean region.

- The Mediterranean Business Development Initiative:
The initiative is aimed at assisting the existing entities in partner countries operating in support of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by assessing the needs of these enterprises, defining policy solutions and providing these entities with resources in the form of technical assistance and financial instruments. It will be based on the principle of co-ownership and its activities are expected to be complementary to those of the existing entities working in the field. Contributions by countries from both rims of the Mediterranean will be done on a voluntary basis.

The above mentioned key initiatives are related to our activities and ambitions.

Euro-Med TDS is now launching, in compliance with the decision of last Assembly, the conference “The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean. The contribution of service industry” to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The meeting will gather outstanding political and business leaders to discuss the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation as a whole, and specifically the role of the services sector in line with the conclusions of the Paris conference of 13th July.

Euro-Med TDS greets the opportunity launched by The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean as a challenge to be caught on fast in order to improve its ten-year long commitment: the development of trade, active partnership, peace and growth in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

We will certainly follow with care the development of the “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean”, with the wish of being cooperative active partners of our governments.