Press Release: Commission calls for stepping up of industrial cooperation to prepare for Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area

2010 is the target date set by the partners for the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area. This deadline is fast approaching. The 4th Conference of Euro-Mediterranean Industry Ministers, held in Malaga (Spain) on 9-10 April 2002, offers a chance to make much-needed progress. The European Commission has adopted a Working Document setting out specific suggestions for practical co-operation to achieve this ambitious goal. These include standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures, and industrial innovation. The creation of a virtual network between public administrations could also be taken into consideration in the medium term. This initiative is part of the Barcelona process, launched during the Conference of Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Affairs Ministers (Barcelona, 27-28 November 1995), aimed at encouraging the establishment of an area of peace, stability and shared prosperity across the European Union and its 12 Southern Mediterranean partners

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/ind_coop_programmes/med/index.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/ind_coop_programmes/med/index.htm

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