| Author (Person) | Thomson, Ian |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 6.9.00 |
| Publication Date | 06/09/2000 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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The European Commission adopted a Communication (COM (2000)497 final) on the 6 September 2000 'Reinvigoratingthe Barcelona Process'. The Communication is the Commission contribution to strengthening the relationship between the EU and its neighbours to the South and East of the Mediterranean, prior to the 4th Euro-Mediterranean meeting of Foreign Ministers, to be held in Marseilles, 16-17 November 2000 Background For reasons of history and proximity, trade, culture and religion, relations between many of the countries that now make up the Euroean Union and the non-member countries bordering the Mediterranean have been of importance over the centuries. In the 1990s, inspired by Spain in particular, the EU began to consider the value of taking initiatives to enhance relations between the Union and the countries of the Mediterranean region. The reasons for this are somewhat complex:
On 27-28 November 1995, under the Spanish Presidency of the EU, a conference was held in Barcelona of the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States and twelve countries of the Mediterranean region (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia (Maghreb); Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Syria (Mashrek); Turkey, Cyprus and Malta; Libya currently has observer status at certain meetings). At this conference the Barcelona Declaration was adopted, which established the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership or Barcelona Process. The objectives of the Barcelona Process are threefold (called 'baskets' or 'pillars' or 'chapters'):
Since 1995 there have been a large number of meetings ranging from gatherings of Foreign Ministers to numerous meetings of other Ministers and officials from all the countries participating in the Barcelona Process, which have established many specific initiatives. Nevertheless, there is also an awareness that progress has been slow and that there is a need to 'reinvigorate' the process. A speech given by European Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten in Israel in April 2000, outlines the need for an intensifying of the process: The 1995 Barcelona Conference marked the moment when politicians gave institutional form to the depth and richness of the relationship between the people of Europe and of the Southern Mediterranean. It is not the only axis of the EU's external policy in the Mediterranean. But it is the most important one. And I am determined that it should become more important still. The Barcelona Declaration of 1995 committed us to:
We have two main instruments to pursue these goals: bilateral Association Agreements and the objective of a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area by 2010. Five years on, it is clear that we have made real progress:
So much for the past and the present: what of the future? Where does the Mediterranean fit into the priorities of the EU, and what are the prospects? I should start by dispelling a particularly widespread misunderstanding. It is often assumed that the EU's enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe must be at the expense of our relations with the Mediterranean. This, of course, is a common way of thinking. In the security field, for example, it is sometimes argued that the development of an autonomous European capacity must be at the expense of NATO. But the development of one dimension need not be at the expense of another. Rather, it can create new potential. And that is the case with the EU's enlargement. We are engaged in a process which will lead eventually to a Union of 500 million people. This requires radical institutional change. It poses economic and political challenges, too. And it is being accompanied by an unprecedented rate of change in other respects. The introduction of the Euro has required sweeping structural reform of our economies. In the area for which I am responsible - external relations - we are discovering our potential, after many years in which the EU has under-performed as a coherent force in world affairs. Naturally, the enlargement of the EU - and the radical pace of change in other respects - will fundamentally affect Europe's relations with its neighbours. But it does not foreclose possibilities. Rather, it opens up new opportunities. That is certainly the case in the Mediterranean which is, and will remain, a relationship of primary significance for the EU. The fact that we are now tackling issues of justice and home affairs - migration, crime, drugs policy - at a European rather than a national level, for example, opens up all sorts of new potential for productive co-operation to our South. I see two main challenges in the immediate future: overcoming complacency about the early successes of the Barcelona process; and adapting to peace in the Middle East if, as I earnestly hope, there is a breakthrough in the peace process. These are challenges for us both, and we need to face them together. I am in the market for ideas! Let me address the two challenges separately: As I said a few minutes ago, most of the objectives of the Barcelona Declaration are on track. The region covered by the process has changed out of all recognition in the 5 years since the Barcelona Declaration was signed. Modernisation of the public sector; dismantling of trade barriers; confidence building measures; all these and more are under way. Why is it, then, that I feel frustrated? Why do I feel we could be getting much more out of the Barcelona Process? The Barcelona Process itself is, I hope, helping things along; but I suspect that it is not itself the main motor for change. I want, therefore, to reinvigorate the process. In particular I want, through the Barcelona process, to address areas of policy which are still being ignored, or put into the 'too difficult' tray. - First, the need to encourage South-South trade. This is one of the most important objectives of our partnership.Economic integration in the Southern belt of the Mediterranean is an essential prerequisite the development of the region as a whole. Let me make the case for Israel. Greater integration between Israel's and the Europe's economies would not be completed if at the same time there was insufficient economic integration on both sides with other Barcelona partners. - In particular, we need to renew the drive to create sub-regional free trade areas. Much of the trade liberalisation so far has occurred in EU-Mediterranean trade. It is time for us to look at trade liberalisation more comprehensively. That means the creation of free trade areas among Mediterranean partners themselves, as well as new provisions in such areas as the cumulation of rules of origin. - It is high time we really tackled the sensitive areas of trade. For too long, for example, we have ducked a real political debate on agriculture which takes account of the interests on all sides. It should be a feature of the growing maturity of our relationship that we can discuss such issues squarely. Likewise I am convinced we need to look beyond the narrow issue of tariff levels and address non-tariff barriers. Bringing together policies on a wide range of economic issues such as public procurement, competition and mutual recognition agreements is an important part of our task. - I want to get more value out of EU co-operation. This is near the top of my priorities. We shall step up ourefforts, so that commitments mean real expenditure. But we are not getting enough bang for our buck. I want to focus on a narrower set of cooperation priorities, which of course will need to be agreed between us. And I want to cut implementation delays. At present, EU external assistance procedures are frankly cumbersome. We can and must do better. This problem extends well beyond our co-operation in the Mediterranean. It has been brought home to me with particular force in the Balkans. But it applies here too. I want Europe to deliver faster. And I want our money used to greater effect. - Finally, as I hinted just now, we need to deepen our dialogue in such issues as drugs, terrorism, immigration, conflict prevention and human rights - and we need some practical results in these areas. Most of these issues are being discussed as part of the debate on a Charter for Peace and Stability which I hope will soon be finalised. But we need to look beyond that. Our handling of these crucial topics needs to be sufficiently flexible to allow partners who wish to advance ahead of others to do so without prejudicing the right of all Barcelona partners to participate in the discussions. These are the challenges I see for the Barcelona Process. They are addressed as much to the EU as to Israel and other Barcelona partners. The Euro Mediterranean Summit later this year gives us a target. By that time I hope we can celebrate a significant reinforcement - a relaunch, if you like - of the Barcelona Process. Before the summer, therefore, I intend to bring forward a strategy paper, suggesting specific measures that we need to take together. The political and economic stakes are high. The potential rewards are enormous. The Commission Communication of September 2000 The Communication of September 2000 proposes a number of actions to 'reinvigorate the process:
The two key sources of information on the Barcelona Process and other aspects of the EU relations with the Mediterranean region are:
European Commission: DG External Relations: The Mediterranean and Middle East policy of the European Union Official Euro-Mediterranean Partnership website [hosted by the University of Malta: Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies] - Homepage Further information within European Sources Online: European Sources Online: European Voice: Further information can be seen in these external links: European Commission: EUR-OP: EUR-LEX European Commission: DG Health and Consumer Protection European Commission: DG External Relations European Commission: Press and Communications Service Further relevant sources can be found on RAPID by inserting 'Mediterranean' in the Title field and clicking on 'No date' Council of the European Union European Commission: EC Delegation in Egypt European Commission: EC Delegation in Cyprus European Commission: EC Delegation in Israel European Commission: EC Delegation in Malta European Commission: EC Delegation in Morocco European Commission: EC Delegation in Tunisia EC Delegation in Turkey (European Commission, 2000-) [2.6/18.1/18.17.b] European Parliament European Parliament: DG for Research: Fact Sheets European Investment Bank United Kingdom: House of Commons: Select Committee on European Scrutiny Council of Europe: Parliamentary Assembly Inter-Parliamentary Union NATO: Parliamentary Assembly Centre of International Relations and International Cooperation (CIDOB) The Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies International Spectator Geoffrey Edwards/ Eric Philippart Royal Institute of International Affairs Jeresalem Centre for Public Affairs Mediterranean Quarterly 11.1 (2000) 75-90 Further and subsequent information on the subject of this In Focus can be found by an 'Advanced Search' in European Sources Online by inserting 'Euro-Med' or 'Barcelona process' or 'Mediterranean region' in the keyword field. Ian Thomson Background and reporting on the week's main stories in the European Union and the wider Europe. |
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| Countries / Regions | Northern Africa |
