Commission bids to bolster Euro-Med ties

Date: 27/04/2000

By Shada Islam

THE European Commission is mapping out a new strategy for a wider EU role in the Middle East.

The new approach includes plans to reinvigorate relations with the 12 southern Mediterranean members of the Barcelona dialogue and a separate post-peace 'visionary' initiative to stimulate economic cooperation in the region.

Plans to inject fresh dynamism into the Barcelona framework expected to be finalised early next month will focus on creating a Euro-Med free-trade area by 2010, as promised at its inaugural ministerial meeting five years ago.

In addition to promoting traditional north-south flows between the Union and the southern Mediterranean states, the EU intends to focus on increasing 'south-south' exchanges among the 12 partners, leading to the creation of 'sub-regional' free-trade areas.

Promoting a Euro-Med free-trade area will require not only action to reduce reciprocal tariffs, but also the removal of non-tariff barriers and increased cooperation in areas such as public procurement and competition policy. New provisions are also envisaged to encourage countries to pool raw materials and value-added inputs on a regional level. 'Companies in the region will be able to cooperate on the basis of their strengths,' said an official. 'This will be crucial in spurring investments in the southern Mediterranean region.'

The package is also expected to include moves to deepen the Euro-Med political dialogue by including issues such as the fight against drugs and terrorism, conflict prevention and human rights on the agenda. A Charter for Peace and Stability, encompassing these and other questions, is expected to be approved by Euro-Med ministers next month.

A separate 'vision paper' drawn up jointly by External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten and Union foreign policy supremo Javier Solana will look at the more complicated issue of enhancing EU involvement in the US-dominated Middle East peace process. Calls for a more active Union role in the region are made repeatedly by Arab leaders and increasingly by Israeli Prime Minister Erhud Barak. With the American presidential election campaign distracting the administration in Washington, the demand for a European role in the Middle East is likely to increase.

Given its history in overcoming national schisms and animosities, the Union is seen as a 'natural partner' for an area which, once peace is established, will need help to build a new future based on regional cooperation.

But diplomats say Europe can only play a pivotal role if it is given a seat and a voice at the Middle East peace talks, instead of being relegated to the sidelines as an important aid donor with no political clout. An increased presence in the region would also mean an increase in EU aid - a difficult issue given the rising number of demands for Union funds, especially for reconstruction in the Balkans.

The European Commission is mapping out a new strategy for a wider EU role in the Middle East. The new approach includes plans to reinvigorate relations with the 12 southern Mediterranean members of the Barcelona dialogue and a separate post-peace 'visionary' initiative to stimulate economic cooperation in the region.