EuroMed 2009-2014 eng V2.indd
Transcription
EuroMed 2009-2014 eng V2.indd
MEDITERRANEAN POLICY ACTIVITY REPORT 2009 - 2014 EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT POLITIQUE MÉDITERRANÉ ENNE |1 MEDITERRANEAN POLICY ACTIVITY REPORT 2009 -2014 EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and President of the EPP The EPP Group and the Mediterranean: challenges and opportunities O ur EPP Group faces the European elections of May 2014 with the satisfaction of having accomplished several tasks which gives more weight to our political family with regard to international policies, especially in the Mediterranean region. The Mediterranean remains a strategic epicentre between and for the two shores. It is not just our duty but also in our interest as Europeans because of our history and values, to believe in links with countries of the Mediterranean region and to work together for a prosperous future. Since we are the Group of values in the European Parliament, we have given priority to relations with the democratic Parties of the Mediterranean, which are the partners with whom we wish to share so many common points within the context of the neighbourhood policy and intercultural dialogue. The EPP Group is the largest force in Europe thanks to its history, its values and its political activity. As a major player in terms of legislation and budget, the Group has developed its activity in close collaboration with the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), in order to make the Euro-Mediterranean project even more coherent. There are several reasons for strengthening political ties with the Mediterranean, namely strategic, economic, social, and cultural and security. In order to address this issue, the EPP Group decided to set up a Working Group chaired b y o u r V i c e - c h a i r m a n Vito BONSIGNORE, who is charged with implementing an action programme and an ambitious strategic policy in the Mediterranean. The Euromed Working Group brings together all Members of the EPP Group who sit on the parliamentary committees and delegations in relation to the Mediterranean. The Euromed WG with its high-level activities and relations, has succeeded in giving the EPP high political visibility throughout the Mediterranean, and has been a reference for all the political and parliamentary actions of the Members of the Group. The EPP Group has maintained continuous political dialogue with the institutional and parliamentary representatives of civil society, especially in economic and academic circles in all the countries of the Mediterranean. Special attention was paid to the countries that suffered serious turmoil during the Arab revolutions that started 2011. Following these revolutions in Arab countries, there is a long way to go with regard to our political dialogue, and the EPP family will be more and more committed to reaching its aims in the new political, social and institutional context that will emerge in these countries. This challenge is a priority for our Group. POLITIQUE MÉDITERRANÉ ENNE |5 Being these countries in a transition phase, our Group has the historical opportunity of being at the centre of the dialogue and cooperation, so that their revolution leads to consolidated democratic systems and viable economic ones, avoiding the risk of sliding into totalitarian or fundamentalist regimes, which would endanger stability in the region with serious consequences at all levels in Europe. This dialogue centres on our common values, which are based on respect for humankind and the promotion of individual rights. The EPP Group has always been an important player in setting up long-term political economic, social and intercultural dialogue with the countries of the Mediterranean. It has worked to defend its values and 6| POLITIQUE MÉDITERRANÉ ENNE convictions on democracy, social market economy and cultural and religious openness. For this reason, we can confirm that during the 2009-2014 legislative periods, the role of the EPP Group in the context of Euro-Mediterranean relations has grown. The EPP Group will always carry the flame of an open European Union, especially in the Mediterranean, and will always support peace, security, freedom, dialogue, cooperation and economic, social and cultural exchange in the interests of the well-being of all its citizens. Joseph DAUL Chairman of the EPP Group President of the EPP POLITIQUE MÉDITERRANÉ ENNE |7 Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group 8| POLITIQUE MÉDITERRANÉ ENNE A new euro-Mediterranean renaissance D uring the last two legislative periods the EPP Group has given absolute priority to the European Neighbourhood policy, as it was conscience that the Mediterranean would become of increasing importance. The Group entrusted the responsibility of this task to its Vice-chairman. The ambitious aim was to guarantee coherence between the legislative activity and the political initiatives of the EPP Group, as well as to extend the political influence of the Group in all areas of the Mediterranean. Following the previous decade which was marked by the poor results of the Barcelona Process, we thought that the European political and economic growth of the 2000s could favour the emergence of a new and more ambitious Euro-Mediterranean partnership. The facts speak for themselves. The last decade not only marked the beginning of a new era in economic relations between the North and the South, but also that of a period of upheaval of all the certainties that we were used to. In 2011 the Arab revolutions began and the stability that had been guaranteed for decades by the regimes in these countries, gave way to the determination of citizens who went onto the streets in search of freedom and democracy. I accepted this mission, conscious of the numerous challenges that awaited me. Setting up a new North-South partnership The biggest challenge was to form a new Euro-Mediterranean partnership. This also required revision of the European programmes and their refinancing. At that time I attended ministerial meetings representing the European Parliament. Under the Presidency of the EPP, the European Council was shelving the Barcelona Process, whereas in Paris in 2008 the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) was being launched. This was a new institutional framework with as many new strategic objectives. Now six years on, with the Mediterranean being characterised by revolutions, which are not over yet, and a European economic crisis once again very marked, the results do not really come up to expectations, even with the rolling out of approximately 10 billion Euro for common programmes and 14 billion in the form of loans from the EIB since 2007. However, we have no doubt that the future economic revival will allow us to seize the great opportunities that the Mediterranean offers and that Europe will revive its ambitions. Europe and the Mediterranean constitute an extremely promising political and economic reality, of worldwide significance. Initiating a political dialogue There was also the challenge of introducing the EPP in all the Arab countries of the Mediterranean and initiating a dialogue with the existing parties, most of whom, at least the parties in power, were members of the International socialist and so traditionally connected to other European political families. Now, thanks to all Group’s initiatives, the EPP has become a recognised and credible political partner, that the new political forces arising out of the Arab revolutions observe with growing interest. We must now walk the walk and, once these parties have been recognised by the EPP family, the Euro-Mediterranean Assembly should be transformed into a political Assembly organized by political groups and not on national level. That would give a real impetus to the forging of Euro-Mediterranean unity. POLITIQUE MÉDITERRANÉ ENNE |9 Promoting the adoption of a common foreign policy For now, the greatest challenge is still that of uniting European action in terms of foreign policy. Today, the common european foreign policy is weak, because of its numerous decision-making centres. We have 28 Ministers of Foreign Affairs, a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and we are present individually throughout the European Union as well as at international decision-making forums, both political and military. However, subjects such as the arrival of illegal immigrants from North Africa, security, terrorism, and also economic development and integration of our economies require the commitment of the European Union as a whole. We cannot just cherry pick in the European Union. Being a Member of the European Union involves commitments and obligations which should be distributed fairly. There is a long way to go but I think that the EPP will know how to use its capacities to convince people of the necessity for a unified foreign policy, starting with the neighbourhood policy. In the future our Group should enter into intense dialogue and collaboration with the other European institutions so that we can define a productive neighbourhood policy together. 10 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E If today the EPP Group has managed to achieve important objectives, it is mainly due to the unfailing commitment of many Members of the EPP, the Secretariat of the Group and the support which has been given over recent years by the presidents of the Group Wilfried MARTENS, Joseph DAUL and Hans-Gert POETTERING, as well as the EPP Party and the invaluable support of the EPP Foundation “Wilfried Martens” and our national foundations. The challenges ahead are numerous but very promising. Hundreds of millions of citizens of third countries of the Mediterranean are looking towards Europe with hope in their hearts – the hope of being able to write a new chapter of history with us that would describe a Euro-Mediterranean region where prosperity and well-being reign. A new renaissance as a starting point for the future of our people. Vito BONSIGNORE Vice-chairman of the EPP Group P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 11 12 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E INDEX Presentation of Joseph DAUL, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President The EPP Group and the Mediterranean: challenges and opportunities............................................................................... 5 Presentation of Vito BONSIGNORE, Vice-chairman of the Group and Chairman of the Euromed Working Group A new Euro-Mediterranean renaissance................................................................................................................................ 9 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................15 Members of the Working Group for Neighbourhood policy: Mediterranean..............................................................23 The EPP Working Group on the Neighbourhood Policy in the Mediterranean...........................................................29 Aims...................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Activities................................................................................................................................................................................ 30 Strategy of the EPP Group in the Mediterranean in 2009-2014: aims and results ............................................................ 31 Arab revolutions: new strategy of the EPP Group in 2011................................................................................................. 34 The action plan of the EPP Group 2009-2014 in the Mediterranean: aims and initiatives................................................ 38 Political initiatives.......................................................................................................................................................39 Meeting of the EPP Group’s Presidency with Ambassadors of third countries of the Mediterranean.............................. 41 Dialogue of the Dead Sea Parliamentary conference of the EPP Group - KAS................................................................. 57 Visits of the EPP Group Presidency to the Mediterranean countries................................................................................. 69 Meeting of the EPP Group with other Institutions. Neighbourhood policy: the funding of Euro-Mediterranean projects................................................................................................................................................................................. 79 Exchange Programmes with countries of the south of the Mediterranean........................................................................ 85 The role of women in the Mediterranean ........................................................................................................................ 104 The Union for the Mediterranean and its parliamentary dimension: the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM)...........................................................................................................107 Presentation of the parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM).......................................... 109 Tasks of the parliamentary committees............................................................................................................................. 110 Neighbourhood policy unit of the EPP Group – EUROMED..................................................................................... 113 14 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E INTRODuCTION This document retraces the activity of the EPP Group from 2009 to 2014 in the context of the neighbourhood policy implemented by the European Union in the Mediterranean. In Egypt, in Libya and in Tunisia powerful political leaders were overthrown by revolts of the people against poverty, justice and political and social exclusion. This period was marked by political upheavals in the region. Regimes that had been in place for decades, enjoying an apparently invincible position, a sign of strong political stability in spite of extremely limited individual freedom, suddenly collapsed to leave room for popular protests. In Egypt and in Tunisia, the population dug deep in its hopes for the strength to react against dictatorial systems. This was not the case in Libya and in Syria, however, where civil war broke out. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 15 Almost two decades of neighbourhood policy of the Union was thus wiped away, taking in its wake the weak foundations on which the European strategy with regard to the Mediterranean had been built. The political collapse that spread in the Arab world made Jordan, Morocco and Algeria flourish, either thanks to the presence of two monarchies or to the wish to limit the risk of reliving another drama similar to the civil war of the 1990s. Then over the last two decades the peace process in the Middle East has not advanced. In this context, the EPP Group has given new impetus to its strategy by offering its support to any new political forces with whom it shares democratic values and principles and by creating a political network in order to share common political projects. 16 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E During this period, the EPP Group forged special relations with the political players and authorities of the whole Mediterranean region, either through its political action in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, or by encouraging visits and organising exchange programmes on political training and other specific activities. Today, the EPP family is considered an essential and reliable political player in the region, capable of providing cooperation based on authentic values and principles in order to build a strong Euro-Mediterranean partnership. Thanks to work carried out by Members of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Euro-Mediterranean relations have developed considerably. The partnership initiated by the Barcelona Process, and taken up by the Union for l-r: Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President, Mustapha Ben Jafar, President of Tunisia’s Constituent Assembly, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Jan Olbrycht MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Antoine Ripoll, Chairman’s Spokesman and Secretary-General of the EPP Group the Mediterranean, is based on universal values, dialogue and cooperation. It has created long-term political and institutional links between Europe and the Mediterranean partners and relies on the common political will to build a space of dialogue, peace, security and shared prosperity. The Members of the EPP Group have met every month in the Euromed Working Group meetings politicians, diplomats, experts and representatives of civil society in the Mediterranean region to exchange points of view, discuss strategies and formulate initiatives. The Working Group was chaired by Vito BONSIGNORE MEP and Vice-chairman of the EPP Group. This Working Group held 51 meetings attended by a large number of Members. During each meeting, special guests representing our Mediterranean partners and the Union for the Mediterranean exchanged point of views: Ministers, parliamentary Members, Ambassadors of the whole Mediterranean region, experts, professors and leaders of the opposition. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 17 The Euromed Working Group also met representatives of European Institutions and a regular among them was Stefan FÜLE, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neigbourhood Policy as well as representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS). During the legislative period 2009-2014 the EPP Group took part in five sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) with its 18 EPP Members and their 18 alternate Members: in Amman in 2010, in Rome in 2011, in Rabat, in 2012, in Brussels in 2013 and on the banks of the Dead Sea in Jordan in 2014. The discussions focused mainly on the peace process in the Middle East, economic governance, the role of women in the new governance and in the struggle against violence, the role of culture and education, religious freedom, new energy resources, water management, trans-Mediterranean networks, infrastructures, young people, migration and the Charter of values for the Mediterranean region. The charter of values, migration, religious freedom, economic cooperation and infrastructures as well as the role of women were among the main priorities of the EPP Group. Thanks to the work achieved in the context of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, the Members of the EPP Group continued to promote the values and visions of the EPP and had the opportunity of meeting hundreds of parliamentarians from all the Mediterranean countries, an important phase in the building of an influential political network. During this period, the EPP Group committed itself to a strategy aimed at strengthening relations between the EPP parliamentary Group and the parliamentary Groups of the third countries of the Mediterranean. To achieve this, several “exchange programmes” were organised in Brussels with the participation of parliamentarians from Morocco and then from Tunisia, Algeria and Lebanon. Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President, visiting Syrian refugee camps of Zaatari in Jordan in 2014 18 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E These Members were integrated into the working structure of the EPP Group for a week in order to share unique moments of common work with the members of the EPP. Numerous political visits were also organised: to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Syria. During all these visits, Joseph DAUL, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President, as well as the Group’s Presidency met the heads of state and government, Presidents of parliamentary assemblies, directors of public institutions and representatives of civil society. In Lebanon, the Presidency of the Group visited the the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Before the European elections of 2014, President Joseph DAUL, accompanied by government delegates, visited the refugee camp of Zaatari in Jordan. During this visit, he met families from Syria as well as local representatives. Many international conferences of the EPP Group, as well as a series of Dead Sea Conferences of the EPP Group, were also organised during this period in Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco, as well as in Brussels. Visit of the EPP Group to Tunis in 2012. From left: Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President. Centre: Hamadi Jebali, Tunisia’s Prime Minister P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 19 Conference of the EPP Group in Jordan in 2014. l-r: Jorge Soutullo, EPP Group Advisor responsible for Mediterranean policy, Maria Da Graça Carvalho MEP, Tokia Saïfi MEP, President of the Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights of the PA-UfM, Atef Tarawneh, Member speaker of the House of Representatives for Jordan, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Otmar Oehring, Head of the KAS office in Jordan, Santiago Fisas MEP, Member of the UfM Parliamentary Assembly 20 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E l-r: Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Salvatore Iacolino MEP, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament and Marco Scurria MEP, Member of the PA-UfM Vito Bonsignore, MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group and Chairman of WG Euromed at the EPP Group presiding over the Exchange Week with Tunisian Members and representatives of civil society l-r: Hakima Falsy, Justice and Development Party, Samir Belefkih, Authenticity and Modernity Party, Mohammed Zerdali, Constitutional Union, Professor Ahmed Ezbakhe, University of Rabat, Jean Roatta MEP, Spokesperson of the EPP Group for political relations with Morocco, Fouzia Lebyed, Constitutional Union, Mustapha Assellalou and Fatima Gouaima Members of The Popular Movement Party P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 21 l-r: Stefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Santiago Fisas MEP, Member of the UfM Parliamentary Assembly l-r Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights of the PA-UfM and Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group 22 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY Roberta ANGELILLI (IT) Gabriele ALBERTINI (IT) Magdi Cristiano ALLAM (IT) Elena Oana ANTONESCU (RO) Elena BĂSESCU (RO) Dominique BAUDIS (FR) Bendt BENDTSEN (DA) Nora BERRA (FR) Fabrizio BERTOT (IT) Vito BONSIGNORE (IT) Philippe BOULLAND (FR) Elmar BROK (DE) Simon BUSUTTIL (MT) Jerzy BUZEK (PL) Antonio CANCIAN (IT) Maria Da Graça CARVALHO (PT) David CASA (MT) Carlo CASINI (IT) Pilar del CASTILLO VERA (ES) Carlos COELHO (PT) P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 23 Birgit COLLIN-LANGEN (DE) Michel DANTIN (FR) Joseph DAUL (FR) Mário DAVID (PT) ESSAYAH Sari (FIN) Santiago FISAS AYXELA (ES) Carmen FRAGA ESTEVEZ (ES) Gaston FRANCO (FR) Mariya GABRIEL (BG) Michael GAHLER (DE) Elisabetta GARDINI (IT) Giuseppe GARGANI (IT) Salvador GARRIGA POLLEDO (ES) Ingeborg GRÄSSLE (DE) Cristina GUTIÉRREZCORTINES (ES) Salvatore IACOLINO (IT) Othmar KARAS (AT) Ioannis KASOULIDES (CY) Lena KOLARSKA-BOBIŃSKA (PL) Rodi KRATSATSAGAROPOULOU (GR) 24 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Giovanni LA VIA (IT) Kurt LECHNER (DE) Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE (ES) Mairead McGUINNESS (IR) Clemente MASTELLA (IT) Barbara MATERA (IT) Mario MAURO (IT) Jaime MAYOR OREJA (ES) Erminia MAZZONI (IT) Roberta METSOLA (MT) Nuno MELO (PT) Francisco José MILLÁN MON (ES) Radvilė MORKŪNAITĖMIKULĖNIENĖ (LT) JAN OLBRYCHT (PL) Ria OOMEN-RUIJTEN (NL) Alfredo PALLONE (IT) Aldo PATRICIELLO (IT) Georgios PAPASTAMKOS (GR) Andreas PITSILLIDES (CY) Hans-Gert PÖTTERING (DE) P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 25 Cristian Dan PREDA (RO) Franck PROUST (FR) Jean ROATTA (FR) Paul RÜBIG (AU) Tokia SAÏFI (FR) José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA (ES) Potito SALATTO (IT) Marie-Thérèse SANCHEZSCHMID (FR) Amalia SARTORI (IT) Andreas SCHWAB (DE) Marco SCURRIA (IT) Salvador SEDÓ i ALABART (ES) Sergio Paolo Francesco SILVESTRIS (IT) Catherine SOULLIE (FR) Renate SOMMER (DE) Gabriele STAUNER (DE) Róża Gräfin von THUN UND HOHENSTEIN (PL) Dominique VLASTO (FR) Manfred WEBER (DE) Anja WEISGERBER (DE) 26 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 27 28 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E THE EPP WORKING GROUP ON NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN Aims The Working Group “Euromed” of the EPP Group in the European Parliament on Neighbourhood Policy in the Mediterranean was formed to bring together all the Members of the EPP who sit on the parliamentary committees, on the interparliamentary delegations in the European Parliament and at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean so that they may be able to forge a common strategy and carry out concrete political actions. These meetings have always been open to the European People’s Party. 80 Members 51 meetings 33 special guests The Euromed Working Group was chaired by Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group and during these 51 meetings between Brussels and Strasbourg, they had the opportunity to discuss the strategy of the EPP Group for the period 2009-2014, as well as the annual action plans. The Working Group also provided the opportunity to debate the current politics of each third country of the Mediterranean and the priorities to follow, in terms of legislative work and the definition of action plans. In order to promote more in-depth discussions, the Members were able to meet their political partners of the l-r: Salvatore Iacolino MEP, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Chairman of WG Euromed Mediterranean, on a regular basis, as well as government members and diplomatic representatives of these countries. These meetings were also attended by key figures from civil society and especially economic and academic circles. Through these meetings, the Euromed Working Group delved deeper into questions such as migration flows, religious freedom, environmental protection problems, questions on fisheries and agriculture, economic and industrial investments and strategies for the education and training of young people. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 29 Likewise, the Working Group was able to discuss the Neighbourhood policy of the EU and how to take into account the new context created by the Arab revolutions. The Euromed Working Group was also in charge of coordinating the activities of its Members in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean and of its five parliamentary committees as well as promoting initiatives in this framework. Moreover, the Working Group provided an additional forum for meeting and debating with the European Commissioners and the representatives of other European and international institutions (EEAS, EIB, UN, OSCE and NATO). activities The Euromed Working Group met regularly during the plenary sessions in Strasbourg and in Brussels. Under the Presidency of Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, the Members of the Group devised a strategy for the Mediterranean for the period 2009-2014. This strategy has been reviewed regularly and especially in 2011 to take into account the events that disrupted the political and institutional framework of most of the Mediterranean countries. To do this, the Working Group organised several meetings, inviting political representatives and Ambassadors from these countries, as well as representatives of civil society. This helped in the understanding the events which deeply shocked the societies of these countries and to implement an action program. From the beginning of this term, the Euromed Working Group launched a series of International Conferences at the Dead Sea. This brought together, on a regular basis, all the EPP’s political partners in the Mediterranean. The Group organised political visits of the EPP Group’s Presidency to Egypt, the Middle East, Tunisia, Morocco, the Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Israel. The Euromed Working Group was also involved to prepare Group’s decisions on issues dealing with Mediterranean and scheduled for the plenary Sessions of the European Parliament. ACTIVITY OF THE WORKING GROUP IN THE MEDITERRANEAN 2009-2014 Definition of the strategy Preparation of the Action Plans of the Group 30 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Organisation of political delegations Organisation of themed conferences Support for the legislative activity of the Group Strategy of the EPP Group in the Mediterranean in 2009-2014: aims and results After the 2009 european elections, the EPP Euromed Working Group defined a new strategy for the 2009-2014 term Here are the main points of the strategy of the EPP Group: Strengthening of the parliamentary network of the EPP Group The EPP Group had decided to establish political contacts with the parliamentary Groups of the Mediterranean countries that shared the same values and aims. The aim was to create an EPP political network in the context of political changes and constitutional reforms, so as to become the principal interlocutor in all the countries of the region and to give a political dimension to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. Today the Union for the Mediterranean has a permanent Secretariat in Barcelona. This Secretariat has promoted numerous initiatives in the whole region. These initiatives have been conducted in cooperation with the European Commission and the Member States, as well as the countries of the Mediterranean. The Secretariat successfully accomplished the tasks assigned to it and which complemented the Barcelona Process with projects that were concrete and close to the interests of the countries concerned. Moreover, the Secretariat, with the support of the EPP Group set priorities and an agenda. The EPP Group also envisaged a Union for the Mediterranean with a much more marked political and strategic profile, in order to promote the strategic interest of the EU-28 in the region. The Mediterranean could become the region that promotes the renaissance of Europe, after a long economic crisis. Its Today the EPP Group, the EPP and the IDC can count on a political network, made up of EPP partners in Morocco, Algeria and Lebanon; with privileged interlocutor in Turkey, Israel, and Tunisia. All the political representatives of these countries participated to the EPP Congress and to the Dead Sea Group’s Conference. Strengthening of the structure of the Union for the Mediterranean The EPP Group aimed to give the Union for the Mediterranean a political and executive role and a new impetus that would be much more ambitious than the Barcelona Process. l-r : Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP and Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vicechairmen of the EPP Group P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 31 energy resources and raw materials, the cultural richness and the diversity of its people, as well as the potential of a huge market should arouse general interest. This result was not fully achieved and should be the subject of further discussions on the future strategy to be adopted by the EPP Group. Strengthening the role of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean The EPP Group decided to take initiatives to ensure that the common Assembly, that brings together the European Members, the Members of the Mediterranean countries and those of the EU could become a real institutional player. the Assembly did not benefit from any reform and still remains a forum for discussion of general matters. If the democratic dimension of the Union for the Mediterranean is a value to be defended, the EPP Group should promote more initiatives among the political leaders. The Assembly could be transformed into a real political forum, where the Members would be organised by political groups to defend their ideas and universal values and advance the visions of transnational political families, not national. Such a Parliament could thus elect a President and set up an internal structure that would operate with the status of a democratic Institution. Because of the Arab revolutions and the economic crisis that reduced the attention paid to the Mediterranean, Visit of the EPP Group to the Middle East. l-r: Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the EP, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President , Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vicechairman of the EPP Group, Tony Blair, Middle East peace envoy, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group and José Ignacio Salafranca Sáchez-Neyra MEP, EPP Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the EP 32 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Visit of the EPP Group to the Middle East : Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President visits Simon Peres, President of Israel Support for the peace process in the Middle East In 2009 the peace process in the Middle East seemed to have taken on a new momentum. Barack OBAMA took up office as President of the United States in January 2009 when the “Operation Cast Lead” carried out by Israel against Hamas had just stopped (unilateral ceasefire of Israel on 18 January 2009). In this context, and while the Palestinian Authority was deciding to withdraw from the negotiations in protest against the Israeli operation, the new American President announced the ambition of advancing the peace process. His decision also seemed to be motivated by the failure of the previous plan, namely the idea of setting up a “great Middle East” based on western democratic models. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 33 The EPP Group, in defining its strategy and its plan of work for the period 2009-2014, decided to invest in the goodwill expressed by the Member States of the EU and support the American plan in favour of the peace process. Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights of the Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean The determination of Barack OBAMA, President of the United States, led to several decisions. First, there was the appointment of George MITCHELL as special envoy to the Middle East. In Iraq, according to the Agreement signed in November 2008 between the United States and Iraq, it was planned that the American army would redeploy at the end of June 2009, that the troops would leave Iraq on 31 August 2010, the definitive withdrawal of American forces being planned for the end of 2011. These measures would allow President OBAMA to declare the need to create a Palestinian State and the will to revive the Middle East peace process, with the diplomatic action of the Secretary of State, Hilary CLINTON. 34 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E It is in this spirit that the delegation of the EPP Group, led by its Chairman Joseph DAUL MEP and including the Vicechairman of the EPP Group Vito BONSIGNORE MEP and Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP, Coordinators of the EPP at the Foreign Affairs Committee of foreign Affairs, Elmar BROK MEP and José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA MEP and the Chairwoman of the Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights of the Assembly for the Mediterranean Tokia SAÏFI MEP, decided to go to the Middle East to meet the Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the peace negotiators and Tony BLAIR, Middle East peace envoy. Arab revolutions: new strategy of the EPP Group in 2011 Following events in many Arab countries with the outbreak of the “Arab revolution” uprisings in 2011 the Working Group adapted the strategy of the EPP Group, taking advantage of the new perspectives provided by changes in regimes. Here are the adaptations decided by the EPP Group: Identification of new partners It proved necessary and urgent to find new political and social interlocutors who could share the same values as the EPP, and then to support them during the “transition phase” and in the long term. Since, after the dissolution of a regime, it is difficult to identify new interlocutors, the EPP Group opened dialogue with all the new forces that spoke in favour of democracy and the promotion of humankind. These reforms should be based on division of power, the establishment of strong institutional structures, electoral laws to promote political changes of power and to have strong open political systems. As the cultural and social fabric in the Arab countries was profoundly different to that of the countries of the East, which underwent the same transformations and became associated with the EU, the EPP decided to intensify its intercultural dialogue initiatives by involving civil society. In this way, the EPP Group asked the European Commission and the External Relations Directorate of the EU to give their full support to the reforms being undertaken. Promotion of democratic reforms The Arab revolutions paved the way for in-depth discussions on fundamental values. The West and the Middle East were often in disagreement on the subject of values and this has sometimes divided our people. These divisions did not promote good cooperation. So, the EPP family is convinced of the solidity of the principles which are the founding principles of the democracy of our countries. The EPP Group, therefore, decided to build its new political relations on its founding principles. This is why the Working Group organised “exchange weeks” in Brussels. Open to all the partner countries of the Mediterranean which were beginning a new era of democracy, representatives of the new political parties and civil society were invited to share a week of work with the Members of the EPP Group. The EPP decided to act in all the institutional bodies, both European and national to promote fully democratic constitutional reforms in the Arab countries. Promotion of the EPP values At the same time the EPP Group decided to promote the Mediterranean Charter of Values and appointed Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, as Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. l-r: Joseph Daul MEP, EPP President and Chairman of the EPP Group, Mustapha Ben Jaafar, President of the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia and Manfred Weber MEP, Vice- chairman of the EPP Group. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 35 initiatives to encourage constitutional reforms to take into consideration the religions minorities and the secular spirit of the new constitutional structures. New democratic institutions The EPP Group decided to promote these reforms in order to promote the establishment of strong democratic institutions. During the visits of the Presidency of the Group to the countries of the Mediterranean, the Members of the Group met with political leaders at the highest level to discuss reforms that needed to be made and the support offered by the Neighbourhood policy of the EU. Immigration and security Following the political upheavals of the Arab revolutions, the bilateral agreements between the third countries and the countries of the EU dissolved rapidly, with the risk of intensification of uncontrolled migratory flow becoming a reality. So, the EPP Group made a commitment to demand the EU authorities for a European management policy on migration. At the same time the EPP Group recognised that strong solidarity should be demonstrated to the Member States that were subjected to the trouble caused by the huge extent of migratory flow. The EPP Group meets Arabic women in 2013 Protection of religious minorities After a long period of persecution of Christian communities in several Muslim countries, the EPP Group took 36 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E The EPP Group outlined that for political immigration to be coherent, it should be based on a single EU strategy as well as a European policy for refugees. Moreover, the EPP Group recognised that an efficient European management policy of migratory flow should take into account special aid to strengthen the borders of the vulnerable African countries and polices of political cooperation with these countries. l-r: Rabi Levi Matusoff, Msgr. Tadeusz Pieronek, Jan Olbrycht MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group , Ioannis Kasoulides, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus, Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Eija-Riitta Korhola MEP, Carlo Casini MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 37 THE ACTION PLAN OF THE EPP GROUP 2009-2014 IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: AIMS AND INITIATIVES AIMS THE INITIATIVES • Identification of reliable political partners to form an • Meetings of the Presidency of the Group with the EPP network Ambassadors of the Mediterranean • Support for political and institutional reforms • “Dialogue of the Dead Sea” Conferences • Transformation of the Assembly of the Union for the • Visits of the EPP Group to the Mediterranean countries Mediterranean • Promotion of a Charter of Values of the Mediterranean • Promotion of the role of women • Support for religious minorities • Improvement of economic cooperation and the role of SMEs • Support for the peace Process in the Middle East 38 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E • Meetings with other Institutions • Exchange Programmes with political representatives of the South Mediterranean • Support for women of the Mediterranean Exchange Programmes with political representatives of the South Mediterranean Meeting of the Presidency with Ambassadors of the Mediterranean The role of women in the Mediterranean POLITICAL INITIATIVEs Dead Sea Dialogue Meetings with other institutions Visits of the EPP Group’s Presidency in the Mediterranean countries P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 39 l-r: Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President EPP, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group 40 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Meeting of the EPP Group’s Presidency with Ambassadors of third countries of the Mediterranean The EPP Group organised several meetings with the Ambassadors of the Mediterranean countries that are Members of the Union for the Mediterranean. These meetings were chaired by Vice-chairman Vito BONSIGNORE MEP in the presence of Chairman Joseph DAUL MEP and all the Members of the Group with political or institutional responsibilities on issues related to the Mediterranean and whose input was required. Meeting the Ambassadors about the upheavals in the Arab countries 30 March 2011, Brussels another. Regarding his country, the Ambassador declared that the democratic process in Morocco had already begun 20 years ago. In a more general way, he asked that the EU should help all these countries to facilitate the introduction of concrete reforms. He explained that better access to trade and to agricultural production was necessary to sustain the changes. Vice-chairman Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, after an analysis of events, requested to examine the situation in Egypt and Tunisia from time to time, two countries that he considered sensitive in relation to the future of the Mediterranean. With regard to this he expressed his worry about the next institutional changes in Tunisia, the urgency of the refugee situation and the practical developments in relation to the recently undertaken agreements between Tunisia and Italy in order to hold back the wave of migration coming from the Tunisian coasts. The Chairman Joseph DAUL opened the meeting and thanked all the attendees for their commitment to the revival of Euro-Mediterranean relations at a time when several countries were in the middle of a struggle for democracy, declaring: “This an historic moment and also a great moment of hope. The EPP Group has a duty to help and support this process, but without imposing anything. The EU must help this process and our Group must be at the fore of this initiative” Chairman then recalled the great work carried out by the Group and the EPP Party with the Mediterranean countries. The Ambassador of Morocco, Alem MENOUAR, warmly thanked the EPP Group for organising this new meeting and he suggested examining the situation country by country as the revolts differ greatly from one country to The Member Head of Delegation of the Arab Republic of l-r: Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the EP, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 41 in the September elections. In the meantime, the Egyptians want a return to normality and the continuation of economic activity. According to Badr ABDELATTY, the Muslim Brotherhood represents about 30% of the electorate and he spoke of the problem caused by Egyptian workers living in Libya. Mário DAVID MEP, Chairman of the Mashreq Delegation in the European Parliament and Vice-chairman of the EPP regretted that the EU had prioritised stability and, in the past, had indirectly supported non-democratic regimes. He explained the visit of the European Parliament in Egypt and recalled that in this country, the population had increased l-r: Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group and Alem Menouar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the EU Egypt to the EU, Badr ABDELATTY, explained the situation in his country. He pointed out that the revolution was spontaneous and carried out by the Egyptians themselves, and especially by middles class people. The army played a very important role because, from the first day of the revolution, no shot was fired by the army against the people. He went on to say that the Egyptian revolution began without any real leaders; it was a spontaneous movement of the people. The constitution has already been modified and elections have been announced for September 2011. He explained that on 19 March 2011 a referendum had ratified constitutional reform, which would allow the formation of new political parties which could participate 42 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E l-r: José Ignacio Salafranca MEP, EPP Group Coordinator on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Mário Dávid MEP, Vicechairman of the EPP and Chairman of the Mashreq Delegation in the EP by 1.3 million per year. He pointed out that Egypt had four sources of revenue: tourism, international transfers, the sale of gas and rights on the Suez Canal, which due to the internal situation are strongly compromised. According to Mário DAVID MEP, the Muslim Brotherhood had declared that they represented 40% of the electorate. He underlined the extent of trafficking of humans, drugs and arms in the Sinai peninsula and he concluded by mentioning the need to revive the debate on the Middle East Peace Process. José Ignacio SALAFRANCA MEP, Coordinator of the EPP Group in the Foreign Affairs Committee, stressed the need for a real European policy of neighbourhood and adaptation to the new situation. For this reason a Working Group was created within the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in order to analyse future perspectives. He also pointed out the importance of accompanying the political actions of the EPP by actions supporting economic development in these countries. Elmar BROK MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs underlined the priorities in the context of the revolutions in the Arab countries and, particularly, the priority for democracy, freedom and economic development. He also insisted upon the urgent need to make progress with the Middle East Peace Process. Antonio CANCIAN MEP, Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism spoke of three urgent matters: the humanitarian and migratory situations, the search for new credible interlocutors and economic development. Badr Abdelatty, Deputy Head of Delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the EU P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 43 Tokia SAÏFI MEP, questioned the Ambassadors about the presence of the EU in the Mediterranean and economic development, wishing to know what the future role of the Union for the Mediterranean would be and even the conditions for the revival of the UfM. The Mauritanian Ambassador, Brahim KHLIL, thanked the Members of the EPP Group for their commitment to the Arab people, who are thirsting for freedom, democracy and justice. Dictatorships, injustice and “kleptocracy” must be rooted out, as was the case in Tunisia, Egypt and more recently in his country, Mauritania. The Ambassador then underlined the role played by the internet and the media, especially Al-Jazeera. Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the EP with Branko Baricevic, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the EU 44 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E The Algerian Ambassador, Amar BENDJAMA, also thanked the EPP Group for its initiative in organising the meeting. He dealt with several points including the current situation in the region and the problems of bad governance, the economic crisis and the lack of hope for young people. The Ambassador pointed out that a country like Tunisia receives approximately 2 USD per inhabitant from the EU, in other words 5 times less than Moldavia. Tunisia and Egypt must revive their economies starting with tourism; and the EU could support this revival. The Algerian Ambassador also explained that in Libya there was a civil war in which Al-Qaeda were buying arms, and in particular ground to air missiles. “What is going to happen to Libya after the civil war?” he asked. Antonio Cancian MEP, Member of the Committee on Transport in the EP and Tourism and David Stellini, EPP Group Press Advisor As far as the revival of the European Policy of neighbourhood was concerned, he declared that Algeria had made important concessions in favour of the Association Agreement with the EU. Algeria receives about €1 per inhabitant from the Association Agreement. Lastly, the Turkish Ambassador, Selim KUNERALD, pointed out that Turkey considers the democratic transformations in Arab countries very favourable. Turkey shares the same values and objectives as the EU. In this domain the Union for the Mediterranean has a very important role to play. The Jordanian Ambassador, Sem Oklah ALZOUBI, stated that the funds intended for the Union for the Mediterranean were not sufficient. He said that regional projects needed resources, but these were not easily found and that was a problem. In his view, the European Union did not consider the development of the Mediterranean a priority. He admits that there is goodwill but that was not enough. The Deputy Head of Delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the EU, Badr ABDELATTY spoke about the problems in Libya and Palestine, which have been somewhat forgotten over recent weeks. Egypt supported the UN’s Resolution, but with all the prerequisites. He made it very clear that Egypt is not offering military aid to the rebels in Libya and there are still a million Egyptians in Libya. His action is focused on the importance of not dividing Libya into two or three parties, which would be a mistake in his view. l-r: Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group and Branko Baricevic, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the EU l.-r.: Sem Oklah Alzoubi, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Mário David MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP and Chairman of the Mashreq Delegation in the EP P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 45 He went on to recall the importance of dialogue in both Libya and Palestine. He explained that certain extremist slogans against Israel emerged during the protests in Cairo, but he confirmed that the day after the elections the issue of Palestine would be once again handled without extremism. He underlined that if Israel really wants peace it must show willingness and stop the construction of colonies. It is only through a goodwill gesture that they can sit down and seek a compromise. During his intervention, Mário DAVID MEP, Chairman of the Mashreq Delegation in the EP and Vice-chairman of the EPP stressed the fact that Egypt and the Arab League supported the UN’s Resolution. He considered that the Peace Process had been neglected and that the Palestinian people were very happy with the winds of democracy sweeping through Egypt without being concerned with the risk of losing an ally. Roberta ANGELILLI MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, stressed that the period of crisis has provided an opportunity for change with great potential for progress and that the duty of the EU was to always support these changes. “Each country must commit itself - an ambitious European strategy is required”. She then said that the Union for the Mediterranean should not only address the issues of the secretariat, but also more specific projects. She also alluded to the current problems of extraordinary immigration in Italy. Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament 46 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Gunnar HÖKMARK MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, underlined the causes which triggered the rebellions. The absence of reforms is one of them, and without them democracy is not possible. He stressed that it is necessary to begin a political dialogue and that commercial and economic development should be accompanied by a democratic process. Antonello ANTINORO MEP, EPP Coordinator on Fisheries, said he agreed with Gunnar HÖKMARK MEP and added that a solution must be found soon in order to avoid more serious problems. He wanted the European Parliament to act using all its powers. Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, expressed her appreciation for the setting-up of this meeting, which she deems to be of great importance. She believes that the EU does not currently have the means to assist the countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean owing to the restrictions of the budgetary policy. In order to boost private investments she has, therefore, proposed a donors conference for humanitarian aid. Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, thanked all of the participants, recalling the EPP Group’s commitment to strengthening and improving Euro-Mediterranean relations. He has requested increased collaboration between the EU and the countries of the Mediterranean in order to ensure peace and development, and to realise the aspirations of young Mediterraneans. The Member Head of Delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the EU, Badr ABDELATTY, declared that the Mediterranean region is faced with an unusual situation requiring an untraditional response. The first requirement is the flow of finance in order to prevent any delays in implementation of the project. Elmar BROK MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs referred to the term Mare Maria Da Graça Carvalho MEP, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 47 Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the EP and Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President Nostrum, originally used by the Romans to designate the Mediterranean sea. He believes that money alone will not resolve the problem, but rather building common structures to ensure that the money is used correctly. Furthermore, Elmar BROK felt that the issues of the region may be addressed together. With regard to the Middle East, he questioned whether the EU was willing to grant bank 48 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E guarantees and offer its support to ensure the security of both countries and promote a peace agreement. Simon BUSUTTIL MEP, Chairman of the Maltese Delegation in the EPP Group, alluded to the tragic events in Libya, where news is followed every minute and not every hour. Malta has received thousands of people from the entire area; 800 people arrived in just one day. The only relevant political line regarding relations between the EU and the Arab countries is to support the democratic process in these countries. “The EU must be fully focused on the countries which are taking the democratic route” he declared. “It is clear that the EU has a duty to provide as much support as possible to these countries in their transition process towards democracy. Without wishing to impose anything and aside from the financial aspects, the EU could share its own experience in the democratisation process”, he added. Morocco has shown its interest in creating a Euro-Mediterranean Bank, a concept which was approved during the plenary session in Rome at the beginning of March 2011. There is a huge requirement to increase financial aid and to review the existing financial envelope. Migration should be considered in a global and regional context. Cristian Dan Preda MEP, Vice-coordinator of the EPP Group of the Foreign Affairs Committee for European Parliament with Branko Baricevic, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the EU With regard to the European Neighbourhood Policy, there are two opinions: one leaning towards the East and the other towards the South. In this context, the Ambassador launched a call for an end to the rivalry within the EU between those who support the countries of Eastern Europe and those who are in favour of the countries in the South. Gunnar HÖKMARK MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, observed a general tendency to discuss the consequences of migration and not of the problem itself. He also stressed that the time has come for the neighbours in Southern Europe to make better use of the funds available. Gunnar HÖKMARK MEP concluded his statement by indicating that it would be an occasion for both parties to take advantage of this opportunity. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 49 Left: Simon Busutill MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation in the EPP Group. Above: Amo Ferhati, office of Tokia Saifi, Amar Bendjama, Algeria’s Ambassador to the EU, José Ignacio Salafranca MEP, EPP Group Coordinator of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights Committee of the Assembly of the Union for Mediterranean Policy Below right: Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights Committee of the PA-UfM and Amar Bendjama, Algeria’s Ambassador to the EU 50 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E l-r: Antonello Antinoro MEP, EPP Coordinator of the EP Fisheries Committee, Salvatore Iacolino MEP, EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Marco Scurria MEP, EPP Coordinator of the EP Culture and Education Committee, Antonio Cancian MEP, Member of the EP Committee on Transport and Tourism. Alem MENOUAR, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the European Union, expressed the opinion that, although Morocco has made continuous efforts towards reforms, the lack of financial resources is an obstacle to achieving results. Conversely, many countries in Eastern Europe have succeeded in joining the European Union as a result of significant financial support in order to meet the Copenhagen criteria. In addition to financial aid, the Ambassador underlined other means of providing support: through trade, access to European markets and by means of cross-border cooperation. He also highlighted the absorption capacity of each country. Amar BENDJAMA, Ambassador of Algeria, believes that financial aid may be decisive where it involves sustaining development. The key word is investment, particularly in the SMEs. This would provide valuable support to company reforms and to the creation of employment. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 51 Alem MENOUAR, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the European Union, closing the meeting for his part, expressed his satisfaction for having been able to participate in a high-quality debate. The EPP Group once again confirmed its concerns regarding the difficulties and insurgency in the Mediterranean region. There is a common will to work together and make the “Mare Nostrum” an area of peace, stability and prosperity. The Ambassador assured the Members that there are interlocutors in these regions willing to continue the dialogue with the EPP Group. Centre: Antonio López-Istúriz MEP, Secretary-General of the EPP Vice-Chairman Vito BONSIGNORE MEP reviewed the comments and proposals made, while guaranteeing that would be taken into account and reflected in the Group’s future activities. The matter of migration must be addressed within a common framework and South-South migration must also be taken into consideration. In his closing speech, Vito BONSIGNORE MEP also recalled the dream of the young generation to realise democratic reforms and he asserted that he himself, the Chairman of the Group Joseph DAUL MEP, as well as all of the Members of the EPP Group will be open to any discussions in relation to this matter and will be willing to provide their support. 52 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Tokia SAÏFI MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on political Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights of the PA-UfM, emphasised the need for both sides of the Mediterranean to intensify the dialogue in order to implement clear and concrete co-operation plans with a real impact on both societies. Fatma ELZAHRAA, Ambassador of Egypt thanked the EPP Group for the invitation and stressed the problem of assets from the regime of the former President Hosni Moubarak, which are frozen in European banks. She considered that it is essential for European institutions to have a clear position on the matter. Meeting with the Ambassadors of the Mediterranean countries 7 May 2013, Brussels The Meeting was chaired by the Vice-chairman of the EPP Group Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, with the presence of the Secretary-General of the EPP, Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ MEP, Roberta ANGELILLI MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Lia SARTORI MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. Amar Bendjama, Algeria’s Ambassador with Herman Achille Van Rompuy, President of the European Council Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė MEP, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the UfM Alem Menouar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the EU l-r: Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Sem Oklah Alzoubi, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 53 The Chairman Vito BONSIGNORE MEP announced that the EPP Group launched an “exchange programme” with political parties from countries of the Southern Mediterranean. He noted the importance of creating a political platform for the Mediterranean. A meeting with the partners of the Mediterranean will be arranged at the Dead Sea in Jordan before the 2014 elections. Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ MEP, Secretary-General of the EPP, stressed that the Mediterranean region is a main priority for both the EU and the EPP. The EPP family must support the countries which are moving towards democratic change. Amar BENDJAMA, Ambassador of Algeria, welcomed the organisation of this latest meeting and emphasised that the countries of the Mediterranean region are fighting for stability, against the economic crisis and against unemployment and poverty in an economic and political transitional context. He then said that the dialogue needs to be reinforced between the European Union and the countries of the Southern Mediterranean in order to solve common problems such as terrorism and illegal immigration. Sem Oklah ALZOUBI, Ambassador of Jordan, stressed that it is especially important to ensure peace and stability in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. He considered that the European Union plays a leading role in the peace process in the Middle East, particularly, by granting all necessary aid to the Palestinian Authority. In the context of instability in the Middle East, the Ambassador of Jordan reiterated that his country is suffering from the Syrian crisis at all levels, as are the neighbouring countries. Apart from the Peace Process, cooperation must also be focused on free trade and mobility partnership, he affirmed. 54 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Tahar CHERIF, Ambassador of Tunisia, stressed the need to assist the countries of North Africa by increasing cooperation and strengthening technical assistance. Mohammed BELAYACHI, Representative of Morocco, reiterated the need for dialogue, not only at governmental level, but also with the representatives of Moroccan civil society. According to him, the EPP Group should launch cooperation programmes with the NGOs. In Morocco many private institutions are recognised by the Constitution such as the National Council for Human Rights. Antonio CANCIAN MEP, Member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, emphasised that it is important to develop a common economic and social area in the Mediterranean. He suggests creating a Task Force or a working group in order to implement actual plans. Cristina GUTIÉRREZ-CORTINES MEP, reiterated that the Euro-med countries suffer from the lack of an overall plan. “Indeed, it is not appropriate to provide financial resources to Arab countries without a common structured plan, in addition to concrete guidance which takes into account the most relevant aspects”, she stressed. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 55 56 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Dialogue of the Dead Sea Parliamentary conference of the EPP GROUP - KAS “The future of the Union for the Mediterranean” 9 February 2014, Valley of the Dead Sea, Jordan The EPP Group, as the leading force of the delegation of the European Parliament in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM), took part in its plenary session on 8 - 9 February 2014, in Amman ( Jordan). Two political party representatives per country participated in the conference on 9 February 2014, giving a total of approximately 30 people. On behalf of the EPP, its Chairman Joseph DAUL MEP, Maria DA GRAÇA CARVALHO MEP, Member of the PA-UfM, Tokia SAÏFI MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights Committee of the PA-UfM, Cristina GUTIÉRREZCORTINES MEP, Member of the PA-UfM, Rodi KRATSATSAGAROPOULOU MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament and Santiago FISAS, MEP, Member of the PAUfM. The Director of the Jordan office, Otmar OEHRING, took part on behalf of the KAS. Following the plenary session, the EPP Group in conjunction with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), organised a parliamentary conference with political partners from parties of the Southern Mediterranean. This Meeting is part of the EPP Dialogue of the Dead Sea, an initiative launched in 2008 to extend the influence of the EPP in a region which has always been dominated by the International socialist. This event was organised in Jordan and in Tunisia and made it possible to exchange opinions on current political issues and on potential common political initiatives within the PA-UfM. This also made it possible to finalise a political agenda in order to give a more practical form to cooperation. l-r Atef Tarawneh, President of the Jordanian House of Representatives, Joseph Daul, MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 57 This Conference made it possible to pursue the strategy aiming to bring together political partners with the objective of creating an active network whose purpose would be to revive the Union for the Mediterranean. The revolutions in the Arab world over the past two years have led to political and institutional change and change in the organisation of these societies which ought to permit a new order in international political relations. The EPP, the largest European political family, is today recognised as the political player with the best ability to interpret this new order in the entire European neighbourhood. years, as HM King ABDALLAH II had announced during the meeting in Brussels with the EPP a series of reforms have begun. The first phase of the reforms began during the Arab revolutions with an independent Constitutional Charter, containing a number of Human Rights amendments. He stated that today Jordan represents a model for the entire Arab world. The people of Jordan were the first to call for reforms and the Jordanians are also aware of the fact that they have played a crucial role for the Syrian refugees. They opened their borders to them, despite a very problematic situation. The Conference addressed the reforms which should be introduced in order to strengthen the Union for the Mediterranean, and the support which the EU should offer in order to drive the democratic processes forward, reforms regarding the rule of law, justice, economic and financial rules. He added that cooperation between the two shores was also vital for the peace process in the Middle East. It is important to find political solutions with regard to this delicate matter, and also for resolution of the Syrian crisis, by requesting a much more significant effort from Europe. The Conference acknowledged that the EU and the Mediterranean together represent a billion citizens. These are citizens who expect to become a real world power together. It is now up to us to make this happen. The Chairman of the EPP Group, Joseph DAUL, opened the meeting by welcoming all the participants and thanked the KAS for its support in the organisation of the event. He then gave the floor to the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Jordan, Atef TARAWNEH and to Otmar OEHRING, Director of the KAS in Jordan. Atef TARAWNEH, Speaker of the House of Representatives in Jordan, highlighted the values he shares with the Group. He declared that he wishes to pursue the road to reforms, with the encouragement of the King of Jordan. In recent 58 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Otmar OEHRING, Director of the KAS in Jordan, noted that Europe pays close attention to what is happening in the countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, whether North-South or South-South relations. He thanked the Royal family of Jordan for the example it has set and for its encouragement in the development of democracy and Human Rights. Chairman Joseph DAUL MEP, announced the EPP family’s willingness to support the democratic processes, without imposing solutions. He also gave an account of his visit to the Zaatari refugee camp, stating that this humanitarian tragedy is the symbol of relentless violence. He recalled the EPP’s commitment to further investment in the Mediterranean in order to assist the democratic reform processes and promote social and economic development. l-r : Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Committee of the PA-UfM, Atef Tarawneh, President of Jordan Chamber of Representatives, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and President of the EPP P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 59 The Libyan representative, Abdulmagid EL-MANSOURI, Chairman of the Libyan Economic Development Consultancy Corporation (ABC) expressed his desire for the organisation of a conference with the Finance Ministers in the near future, given the instability of some countries on the Southern shore. He emphasised that Europe must make a greater effort to assist the democratic process. He suggested that peacekeepers could be sent to Libya. Maroun KARAM, representative of the Maronite Community in Lebanon, expressed his great pleasure at the invitation received and for the opportunity to discuss current issues in the countries of the Southern Mediterranean. He stressed that there will not be economic change without Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and President of the EPP stability in the countries. Several projects remain on the agenda, such as renewable energy and water. According to him it is understandable that, for many Furthermore, he said that the banks are healthy and can countries, it takes time to assimilate the issues from such invest, providing that peace and security are guaranteed. changes, in the hope that these changes move in the right direction. The EPP is willing to offer its expertise to the He concluded by reiterating that the western democratic countries that want to establish a political regime compliant model must be properly explained, in order to prevent with the rule of law, democracy, Human Rights and ethnic people being distrustful and opposing the reforms. The and religious minorities, including equality between men EU is a model for everyone and the Mediterranean could and women. benefit from it. 60 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Ahmed TOUHAMI, Moroccan representative, warmly thanked Chairman Joseph DAUL, for this meeting and also for the previous meetings organised in Brussels by the EPP Group, as they allowed him to become familiar with the objectives and values expressed by the EPP. He declared that they are fully shared by his Party. Houari BENARBA and Seddik CHIHEB, Algerian representatives, expressed their appreciation for the strong political ties which have been established between RND and the EPP. They stated that the EPP’s interest in the parties on the Southern shore is an important historical sign for the development of a real Union for the Mediterranean. Mohammad Al JAHOU, Jordanian representative, considered that all of the countries involved are responsible for the situation in Syria and Lebanon. He asked the EU for financial assistance as well as an active political role and not just a marginal one based on the decisions of the United States. They are aware that for the EPP Group and for the EU freedom and the values of democracy are essential, but for the countries of the Southern shore security, stability, a better life for the citizens are more important, with democracy only coming fourth on the list. Without security and without a Peace Process there will not be democracy. The Chairman, Joseph DAUL MEP, noted that in the countries of the Southern shore a revolution is currently underway and it is necessary to work together for security and democracy. “It is a very long and slow process, but these are Arab countries which must take charge of their own destiny, Europe can only accompany them on their way towards democracy, but cannot impose it,” he affirmed. In terms of political stability and security in the Mediterranean, there are two prerequisites for the success of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, Tokia SAÏFI MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Committee of the PA-UfM stressed that the upheavals experienced by a large number of countries in the Southern Mediterranean represented both an opportunity and a challenge. They have revealed to the entire world the extraordinary interdependence of their economies and their populations with the large crossborder flows, given that what happens in one country has an almost immediate impact on its neighbours, hence the temptation to intervene, either directly or indirectly. In this context, she added, stability has become a vital issue. However, with regard to institutional or governmental stability, in recent years, the world has turned a blind eye to the regimes in place. The lesson to be learned from the events following the revolutions after 2011 is that foreign support cannot guarantee the maintenance of a dictatorial regime if the people no longer want it. Tokia SAÏFI MEP added that in order to ensure the success of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership stability must certainly be promoted, but it must be real stability, long-term stability, which can only be democratic. The important issue is to be able to go beyond the events in order to grasp the profound movement of society, listen to its expectations and its demands. There cannot be political stability without social stability or without respect for fundamental rights. “We are living in crucial times and it is just when a certain number of countries have decided to draft their new Constitution that the EU, the UfM and the EPP family have definitely a role to play in highlighting these dimensions and these values.” P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 61 “The debate on the peace process in the Middle East and on Syria is underway”. The various Jordanian, Libyan, Algerian and Palestinian representatives reiterated that there cannot be peace in the Middle East without resolution of the Israeli-Arab conflict and of the conflict in Syria. Europe has become ineffective regarding the matter and the people of the Southern shore no longer understand what they have to do”. “The real problem of extremism lies with the young people because of the situation in the Palestinian Territories and the war in Syria. They have asked for greater European involvement to assist with talks and for a peaceful solution to the conflicts. The importance of the concept of forgiveness, mediation and dialogue is one of the key values of the EPP family.” “Generally speaking, the members of our Group believe that for Mediterranean policy to be efficient, it must also be integrated and address the various factors which affect the political, economic, social and cultural life of our populations, with the purpose of developing a prosperous region with concrete challenges and projects”. Cristina GUTIÉRREZ-CORTINES MEP and Rodi KRATSATSAGAROPOULOU MEP addressed the concrete actions to be developed in the near future. Cristina GUTIÉRREZ-CORTINES MEP considered that the EU should have a unique strategy for the Mediterranean. Instead of taking steps for the countries individually, on an economic and social level, it would be more effective to decide on an overall order of priorities for the Union for the Mediterranean. 62 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E The small individual projects are necessary, but with an overall view and with long-term goals. Cristina GUTIÉRREZCORTINES MEP believes that we have to know where we want to go and what we want to do in the Mediterranean. As mentioned by Santiago FISAS MEP on several occasions, it is not easy to build a democracy. All the interlocutors must sit down and come to an agreement about the ground rules for democracy. The EPP family can assist in this process, particularly through its political influence within the European Council, through the Commission Services and by means of the relations and work of the European Parliament. Certain subjects are a priority for a better neighbourhood relationship between the EU and the Mediterranean: security, education and energy, economic development. Moreover, as reiterated by Cristina GUTIÉRREZ-CORTINES MEP, the history of the Mediterranean did not begin in 1971, but with the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Arab cosmographies and philosophers such as Plato or Sénèque. It is important for young people to know the history of the Mediterranean. This history represents unity in diversity. Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU MEP, expressed her belief that the countries on the Northern and Southern shores of the Mediterranean are partners and should work together to seek balance and stability which would imply the solution to the common problems. All parties have, however, different challenges to meet. The countries of the Southern shore are asking for assistance from the European Union but the EU also has its weaknesses because it does not have an army or a genuine single foreign policy. The EU is especially not able to resolve the Peace Process in the Middle East. On the other hand, the EU is in a position to facilitate it. Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU MEP stressed that the policy of the EU needs stability for it to be effective. On the other hand, the Arab League, the Maghreb League, Muslims, Christians and Jews, all together, and particularly the democratic parties in these countries must play their part. “A strategy must be determined together like a large family and together we must decide how to act and by what means. A good example of this common strategy is the network of mayors of the cities in the Mediterranean and the economic and social Committee. We must work simultaneously at all levels, particularly on a political and parliamentary level in order to defend our values in society”, she added. Maria DA GRACA CARVALHO, MEP, stressed the possibility of joining forces in order to take a step forward. The countries of the Southern shore must open themselves up to the world and the European Union could help them to take that path. The representative for Morocco stated that the countries of the Southern shore had a very weak level of democracy, justice and freedom with economic problems and a very high rate of unemployment. It is for this reason that citizens take to the streets to protest and this is how violence starts. support them in the process of decentralisation of power and administration. Houari BENARBA, representative of the Algerian Party RND, insisted on the reforms. He indicated that it is necessary to reinforce economic and social stability and this could only be done by means of reforms. Santiago FISAS MEP subsequently developed several lines of concrete action to carry out in the near future, based on economic stability, security and cooperation with an integrated overall vision of the neighbourhood policy in the Mediterranean and, of course, transparency and good governance and economies which steer the country towards growth and employment. The Chairman Joseph DAUL MEP, confirmed the need to develop together a path between the two shores of the Mediterranean, to join efforts in all areas, not only democracy, but also political institutional and administrative stability. He also added security in areas such as energy, supply, food, education, culture, training and all of the other areas. Closer and stronger North-South and South-South collaboration is proving essential. The EPP family, the Party and its Group in the European Parliament will always be ready to continue along this path together, inspired by the values of the EPP: democracy, the rule of law, Human rights, the Rights of women, freedom and non-discrimination, particularly religious. The Arab League exists, but with the instability in the Arab countries, no one takes responsibility for the changes. For this reason, people turn towards Europe, this beacon of democracy and freedom. These people ask for Europe to P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 63 Country-by-country analysis on the date of the meeting in the Dead Sea 9 February 2014 Algeria The Arab uprisings in 2011 spared Algeria, still bruised by the bloody civil war in the 1990s. Although the country got through the outbreak of Arab revolution, the political instability owing to the fragility of President BOUTEFLIKA’s presidency, the loss of legitimacy of the party in power – the FLN- and even the security imbalances caused by the Jihadist Groups in the Sahelian region, made it impossible for the country to establish a viable political structure. Presidential elections are planned for the first half of 2014. The current President, in spite of ill-health, seems prepared to seek a fourth mandate with the support of the FLN-RND coalition in power. Libya From January 2011, numerous protests broke out in Libya, violently suppressed by the Praetorian army of Colonel GADDAFI. In the face of the growing violence, the Security Council of the United Nations voted for the establishment of a no-fly zone. Substantial military and civilian aid was provided by international institutions (NATO, EU), western powers (France, Great Britain, USA) and also the Arab States (Qatar). After the fall of Gaddafi’s regime, a political landscape started to develop, orchestrated by a significant Islamist influence. Nevertheless, in spite of the transition 64 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E in progress, the political, legislative, judiciary and military systems require a major overhaul. The problem of the armed revolutionary groups hampers the creation of an efficient political system. Apart from being a tribal state divided into 3 regions (Fezzan, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica), the revolutionary groups put their own interests above the stability of the Libyan State. Furthermore, the weapons trade in the Sahelian region, from Libya, was a destabilising factor for the entire region, particularly Mali. Morocco The various popular Arab uprisings weakened the Moroccan parliamentary monarchy ruled by King MOHAMMED VI since 1999. However, in his role as leader of the believers, the impact was minimised. Indeed, king MOHAMMED VI was able to anticipate the crisis augured by the “Movement of 20 February” by holding parliamentary elections won by the moderate Islamist group, the Justice and Development Party (PJD). However, the improvement of democratic advances still requires a better separation of prerogatives between the various powers (that of the king and his cabinet le Makhzen, and the governmentr). Moreover, western Sahara occidental is still subject to dissent and is slowing down the process of orgainsing regional cooperation. Tunisia The popular protests in 2010 forced the former Tunisian President BEN ALI in power for 23 years to flee. This change gave way to the creation of a new political landscape focused on a multi-party system and freedom of expression. The adoption in January 2014 of a new progressive Constitution by a National Constituent Assembly (NCA) consisting of different political trends, demonstrates the path taken by Tunisia towards political transition. The appointment of a government of technocrats following Tunisian society’s rejection of the Islamist-inspired government is also a good example. However, the rise of religious extremism and of certain Jihadist Groups such as “Ansar Al Charia” could be the cause of instability in a country which remains politically fragile and is undergoing a severe economic crisis. Egypt The popular revolution of 2011 drove the former President MUBARAK to resign and stand trial for the acts committed. Despite this excellent political change, the democratic transition seems to be difficult to establish in Egypt. The takeover by the Muslim Brotherhood, then the deposing of the former President MORSI in July 2013 by the Egyptian army, prevents the integration of all persuasions in the political game. The Muslim Brotherhood, a large and influential force, unlike the Salfi Al-Nour movement, refuses to participate in the creation of a post-Mubarak Egyptian political system. Furthermore, the stability of security in the country has become a significant problem with the upsurge of attacks and bombing in cities. Presidential and legislative elections are planned, with predictions of General Al-SISI’s candidacy. Israel The geopolitical position of Israel within the Islamic and Arab world remains one of the most volatile. Indeed, resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems difficult despite international action, particularly the involvement of the American Secretary of State John KERRY. The attack in 2010 of the Gaza Flotilla complicated the resumption of relations with Palestine as well as with Turkey. Furthermore, the cold war raging between Israel and Iran is also pushing back the pacification of relations with its neighbours. In terms of internal political and social situations, the country was faced with major protests in 2011 against economic and social deterioration. Additionally, the 2012 elections won, with a slim majority, by the Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU did not make it possible to effectively implement a coalition with the Israeli opposition. Jordan The Hashemite Kingdom has taken the same path as the Kingdom of Morocco following various Arab revolutions in 2011. Benefiting from the role of the King, the various protests did not have the same impact as in other Arab countries. Furthermore, King ABDULLAH was able to initiate further political reforms in order to lead the country towards a parliamentary monarchy in the process of democratisation. The elections on 23 January 2013 are an example of this reform process. It is important to note that Jordan is influenced more by a political system of tribal influence and P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 65 is evolving towards a more concrete and specific political pluralism. Despite its role of mediator in the Peace Process in the Middle East, Jordan is at an unstable geopolitical crossroads, which is suffering the consequences of external violence (Syria, Palestine). For a long time the country has been a reception centre for Palestinian refugees and with the Syrian crisis, a land of asylum for Syrian refugees. Political stability is essential to enable the country to overcome such influences. Lebanon During the 20th century Lebanon suffered serious and political and religious crises leading the country to civil war (1975-1990). As a result, it has had to adapt to the religious heterogeneity which characterises it (a President from the Maronite Republic, a Sunni Prime Minister and a Shiite Speaker in the Parliamentary Assembly). The death in 2005 of the former Prime Minister RAFIC HARIRI divided the country into two political movements: The movement on 14 March (consisting of Sunnis from the Future Current, the Christian Party Kataeb under GEMAYEL, Christian Lebanese Forces under Samir GEAGEA and the Druze movement under JUMBLATT) and that of 8 March (made up of Maronite parties close to General AOUN and Shiites such as Hezbollah and Amal). Furthermore, one of the political specificities of Lebanon is to define itself by the outside influences that it suffers. Syria has always been one of the key players. Today, with the revolution striking it hard, Syria’s political instability is being felt in Lebanon. The year 2014 began with a serious political crisis: a Prime Minister was appointed without a specific government. Presidential and parliamentary elections should be planned for 2014. 66 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Palestinian Authority There have been no real or effective developments in the situation in Palestine for many years. Indeed, despite the gestures of good faith from both sides and the diplomatic aid provided by the American Secretary of State John KERRY, numerous incidents prevent the return to effective talks in order to revive the Peace Process. Moreover, many internal political crises between Hamas and Fatah also make it impossible to build a strong Palestinian political line. Indeed, Fatah has a majority in the Cisjordan region. Hamas on the other hand holds the monopoly in the Gaza region. The social and humanitarian situation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and in the refugee camps in the neighbouring countries is yet to be resolved. Syria Syria is the Arab country most affected by the Arab uprisings. For three years, violent confrontations between the Alawite government of Bashar AL-ASSAD (Shiite movement) and the Sunni opposition has left thousands dead and thousands displaced in neighbouring countries. Exiting the crisis is made difficult by many outside influences (Iran, Russia, Hezbollah, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) impeding the potential effectiveness of the international community. Furthermore, the current opposition is weakened by a lack of homogeneity. Indeed, the various movements present, including Jihadist Groups, make it impossible for the Syrian opposition to be truly reliable and legitimate. It is difficult to understand the real Syrian influences within an opposition and army of rebels consisting mainly of foreigners from other countries in the region and even from Europe. Moreover, both sides are accused of atrocities, which begin to undermine the credibility of the position and bombing by the Syrian opposition. Following the use of chemical weapons and the threat of military action by countries such as France, Great Britain and the USA and Russia succeeded in imposing a diplomatic route based on consensus. The Geneva II Summit may turn out to be a means of finding a solution between the two parties. Often delayed due to a failure to compromise by both parties, it currently seems to provide humanitarian solutions. Christians (approximately 12% of the Syrian population), suffer cruel persecution, particularly from Al Qaeda and ISIS extremists. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 67 68 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Visits of the EPP Group’s Presidency to the Mediterranean countries EPP Group Delegation in Lebanon and Syria 25 - 29 April 2010, Beirut, Damas An EPP Group Delegation, led by the Vice-chairman responsible for political affairs in the Mediterranean, Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, and including Rodi KRATSATSAGAROPOULOU MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Tokia SAÏFI MEP, Chairwoman of of the Political Committee of the PA-UfM and Mário DAVID MEP, Chairman of the Mashreq Delegation to the EP, visited Lebanon and Syria from 25 until 29 April 2010, in order to meet with the institutional and political authorities in both countries. Both countries form part of the Barcelona Process; they share and bring together the tension of the entire region and, like the other countries, are key players for the success of the peace process in the Middle East. The visits to the two countries are to become a part of the business of the Members of the Group who sit on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean and are preparatory for future EPP Group meetings in the region. The visit to Lebanon, a country with which EPP Group has always had very good political relations, made it possible to reaffirm the EPP’s political support of the multinational force the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south of the country under a UN mandate. The Group also acknowledges the efforts of the Prime Minister Saad HARIRI in order to ensure stability and prosperity in his country. The Members of Group encouraged the Lebanese Parliament to have closer relations with the European Parliament and with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM). In addition to the visits of the French, Italian and Portuguese contingents of the UNIFIL and its Commander MajorGeneral Alberto ASARTA CUEVAS, the Prime Minister Saad HARIRI and the Chairman of the Parliament Nabih BERRI, there will also be meetings with the Foreign Affairs Minister Ali HUSSEIN, the former President of the Republic Amin GEMAYEL, the former Prime Minister Fouad SINIORA and the Patriarch H.E. Nasrallah Boutros SFEIR. Vito BONSIGNORE MEP and the EPP Group Delegation encouraged all of the Lebanese authorities present to continue their efforts to guarantee peace, stability and prosperity and offered the support of the EPP Group in the pursuit of these objectives. The Delegation announced to be prepared to work closer with the authorities and offer coordination within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. Political representatives of the Government alliance of “14 March” stated their interest in closer contacts with the EPP and the IDC. In Syria, the Delegation met the President of the Parliament Mahmoud AL-ABRASH, the Vice-president of the Farouk Republic, AL CHARAA, the Vice-prime Minister Abdullah DARDARI as well as Haitham SATAIHI, Head of international relations of the Baath Party. All the Syrian political and institutional authorities greatly appreciated the availability of the EPP Group for dialogue, and requested collaboration with the biggest parliamentary Group of the P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 69 Visit of the Delegation of the EPP Group to UNIFIL in South Lebanon. l-r : Jorge Soutullo EPP Group Advisor responsible for Mediterranean policy, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the UfM, Patrick Laurent, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Lebanon, Amo Ferhati, Office of Tokia Saïfi, Mário David MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP and Chairman of the inter-parliamentary Delegation of Mashrek in the EP, Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group 70 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E European Parliament. The EPP Group Delegation met the Grand Mufti of Syria Ahmad BADR EDDIN HASSOUN. UNIFIL was created by resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 of the United Nations in March 1978 on the initiative of French General Jean CUQ, following an escalation of violence along the Israeli-Lebanese border, which culminated in the invasion of Lebanon by Israel. Originally 4,000 men were deployed over an area of 650 km². The most recent extension of this mandate was made by resolution 1697 of the United Nations Security Council of 31 July 2006, which renewed its mandate until 31 August 2006. With resolution n° 1701 of the United Nations Security Council, it was decided to reinforce the UNIFIL contingent in Southern Lebanon by 15,000 soldiers, of whom half would be Europeans. Its mission would be reinforced by 15,000 soldiers of the Lebanese army, to form a buffer zone between Lebanon and Israel. We note that this force does not have any aerial support as a deterrent in case of conflict. The EPP Group Delegation visited the French, Portuguese and Italian contingents as well as the Quarter General where they were received by, among others, Major General Alberto ASARTA CUEVAS, who welcomed the decision of the EPP Group to become familiar with the Peace Process on site. The EPP Group Delegation were able to see for themselves the application of resolution 1701 of the United Nations, which gives the mandate to UNIFIL for its buffer and peacekeeping actions in Southern Lebanon between the River Litanie and the Blue Line (controlled by Hezbollah) and Israel. Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group outlined the importance of UNIFIL’s action and referred to the full support of the EPP Group for peacekeeping actions, l-r: S.E. Gabriele Checchia, Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Major General Alberto Asarta Cuevas and Patrick Laurent, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Lebanon these being indispensable for stability in the region. Vicechairman of the EPP Group, Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP raised the question of Hezbollah’s arms and Israeli flights over Lebanese territory. Chairwoman Tokia SAÏFI MEP wished to know if a force like UNIFIL would be considered in Gaza. Chairman Mário DAVID MEP was interested in the deployment of contingents from more than 30 countries as well as their responsibilities and the organisation of troops. The delegation was accompanied by the Head of Delegation of the European Commission in Lebanon, Patrick LAURENT. The Members of the Presidency and the other Members of the EPP Group raised the question of the terms of concrete P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 71 Chairman BONSIGNORE MEP wished to increase the power of the parliamentary dimension in favour of peace in the Middle East and called for the full participation of the Lebanese Parliament at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. The Prime Minister Saad HARIRI hoped for the strengthening of ties between the two parties, the EPP and the Future Movement. He attributes special attention to the relations between the EU and the Arab World. The Partnership between the EU and Lebanon must be strengthened. Mutual confidence must be restored and the development of the partnership must continue. collaboration between the EPP Group and the Lebanese parties who would share the same values and wished to strengthen the links, especially with the “14th March” forces: Future Movement (of Fouad SINIORA and Saad HARIRI), Kataeb (Amine GEMAYEL) and the Lebanese Forces (Samir GEAGEA). They met all their leaders. The Members of the EPP Group expressed the support of the EPP Group for the political development of Lebanon and asked about the main political challenges in Lebanon as well as the expectations of the Lebanese parties with regard to European institutions. The EPP Group Delegation also met the President of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih BERRI (Amal, allied with Hezbollah), who stressed the importance of parliamentary relations. President BERRI regretted that the EU had not been vocal enough in support of peace in the Middle East. 72 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch Boutros SFEIR explained the situation for Christians in the Lebanon and the Middle East in general to the EPP Group delegation. He regretted that the number of Christians in the region was decreasing steadily. In Syria, there was a meeting between Members of the EPP Group and the Grand Mufti Ahmad BADR EDDIN HASSOUN, who explained that in Syria there is only one monotheist religion: that of father Abraham, with its three branches (Moses, Jesus and Mohammed). There is one God for Jews, Christians and Muslims. He insisted on the fact that we must reflect on the opportunities and challenges that society must face. We must share our various roots and assess not just the historical solidity and weight of Syrian-European relations but also the expectations of Syrian and European societies. Built over centuries, SyrianEuropean relations combine closeness in terms of history, immigration, trade and cultural and institutional exchanges. In any case we must strengthen the ties between the two peoples, ties that are the result of free choice and a decision that has not been imposed. His Beatitude the Maronite Patriarch Boutros SFEIR and Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group and Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Committee of the PA-UfM The EPP Group Delegation in Tunisia 27 - 29 February 2012, Tunis dialogue with the Mediterranean interlocutors of the Parliamentary Assembly of Union for the Mediterranean. A delegation of the EPP Group’s Presidency, led by the Chairman Joseph DAUL MEP and including Manfred WEBER MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Jan OLBRYCHT MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group and Rodi KRATSATSAGAROPOULOU MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, went to Tunisia from 27 to 29 February 2012 for meetings with the institutional and political authorities of the country after the Jasmine revolution, which was the first of the Arab revolutions. The Presidency of the Group met the following key people: The visits to Tunisia are among the various activities of the EPP Group in the region in order to set up a permanent • Hamadi JEBALI, Prime Minister of Tunisia • Adrianus KOETSENRUIJTER, EU Ambassador to Tunisia • Rashid Al-GHANNUSH, Leader of the Ennahda Party • Touhami ABDOULI, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs • Mustapha BEN JAFAR, President of the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia • Kamel MORJANE, Leader of the Initiative Party • Mohamed JEGHAM, Leader of the Homeland Party • Maya JRIBRI, Secretary-General of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 73 l-r: Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, His Beatitude the Maronite Patriarch Boutros SFEIR, Rodi KratsaTsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament, Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Amo Ferhati, Office of Tokia Saïfi, Jorge Soutullo, EPP Group Advisor responsible for Mediterranean policy Meeting of the EPP Group’s Presidency with M. Mustapha BEN JAFAR, President of the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia The EPP Group’s Presidency organised this visit at a time when Tunisia was at the centre of the international stage, when its long-standing government and president, 74 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E BEN ALI, who had established a dictatorial regime, was overthrown by a popular uprising following the Jasmine revolution. Throughout his mandate BEN ALI and his family wielded power and influence in practically every area of the administration of the country. Under the strict control of BEN ALI, nepotism and corruption was rampant in almost every Tunisian institution. As the years passed the party and the administration of the country moulded into one, which hindered any efforts to fight against corruption and set up a more efficient means of government. So unemployment became an endemic problem, particularly among young people, which provoked in them a feeling of frustration faced with no possibilities or prospects for them to improve their economic situation. A wave of social and political protests spread in Tunisia in 2010 forcing BEN ALI to leave the country for Saudi Arabia. The EPP Group wished to meet the Tunisian parties to initiate a constructive dialogue with them. Elections with a view to forming a Constituent Assembly took place on 23 October 2010. None of the ministers that served under BEN ALI were allowed to participate. The Constituent Assembly that came out of the election with 217 members, was charged with writing a new constitution and new legal texts. The Islamic party Ennahda took 90 seats (41%), the parties of the left came in second and third positions, with 30 seats for the Congress for the Republic (CPR) and 21 l-r: Jan Olbrycht MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, MEP, Vice-president of the EP, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and President of the EPP, Mustapha Ben Jafar, President of the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 75 l-r : Jan Olbrycht MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President, Rashid Al-Ghannush, Renaissance Party leader Ennahda, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament and Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group seats for Ettakatol. A three-party coalition government or “troika” was formed with the parties more to the left having a small majority in the parliament. The visit of the EPP Group’s Presidency is also as a result of the political support given by the European 76 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Union to the Tunisian transition, which manifested itself in a series of high level visits. The first was by the High Representative, Catherine ASHTON, at the beginning of the uprising, followed by President BARROSO and the Commissioners FÜLE, MALMSTRÖM and GUCHT. After the revolution, the EU increased the funds available for l-r: Touhami Abdouli, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, European Chargé des affaires, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-president of the European Parliament bilateral cooperation. For the year 2012 alone it doubled the amount of subventions so that they reached the sum of 160 million Euro. These funds are specially destined for the economic recovery, the development of civil society and the democratic transition. In this respect, 9.7 million Euros was mobilised for the preparation of the elections. This aid was provided in several forms: the supply of material and an election observation mission to assist the authorities of the country, as well as direct support for civil society organisations. The Union provided 100 million Euro for economic development, especially health, logistics, transport systems and the information technology sector P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 77 as well as an envelope of 20 million Euros for regional development. Meeting of the EPP Group’s Presidency with Touhami ABDOULI, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of European Affairs The EPP Group supports an efficient and coherent European policy of neighbourhood allowing the concept of differentiated partnership to provide bespoke cooperation with each country of the Mediterranean region. The events that took place in the Mediterranean countries reminded Europeans of the fall of the Berlin wall, when Europe was capable of showing solidarity. The EPP Group thinks that the European Union should be in a position to conduct a neighbourhood policy for the Mediterranean countries keeping this in mind. In fact, it is in the interest of the European Union to help support the process of democratisation and the EU has many advantages to offer as spokesperson of the numerous players of the civil society, the pillar of transition in the region. support of civil society which contributes to encouraging the consolidation of the political parties, symbols of the plurality of opinion such as we know in Europe. The political message of the Presidency of the EPP is above all the support of political reforms leading to democracy, the rule of law and respect for Human Rights, following up closely on these policies and measures that the new government will decide to implement in matters related to the economy, security, budgetary and judicial reform as well as the national strategy of combating unemployment. The EPP Group is convinced that long-term stability will be achieved by strong European support for a largely pluralist democratisation process, moderated and carried out by the Arab countries themselves. The members of the EPP Group’s Presidency continued to give their support to the players in the region that advocate democracy and respect for Human Rights. We are behind those who thirst for progress, freedom and development. The EPP Group is fully committed to support democratic, political, economic and social institutional development in the whole region. Therefore, there must be democratic reforms and a fairer division of economic resources, with more active 78 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E l-r: Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP President with Hamadi JEBALI, Prime Minister of Tunisia Meeting of the EPP Group PRESIDENCY with other Institutions Neighbourhood policy: the funding of Euro-Mediterranean projects 25 March 2014 Brussels, European Parliament On 25 March 2014 on the initiative of Cristina GUTIÉRREZCORTINES MEP, the Working Group of the Mediterranean of the EPP organised a meeting on the Funding of EuroMediterranean Project and invited Fathallah SIJILMASSI, Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean. Other relevant participants were: • European Investment Bank (EIB): Mario AYMERICH, Director in charge of environment and regional development, Projects directorate • European Commission: Irène MINGASSON, Head of Unit, Regional Programmes, Neighbourhood South, DG DEVCO; Silvia CRESCIMBENI, International Cooperation Officer, Geographic Coordination, Neighbourhood South; Fernando NINO PAGE, DG DEVCO, International Cooperation Officer, Regional Programmes - Neighbourhood South; Grazyna BOGUSZ, DG DEVCO, International Cooperation Officer, financial Instruments for sustainable growth and development; Bruno MARADEI, DG DEVCO, International Cooperation Officer, financial Instruments for sustainable growth and development • European External Action Service (EEAS): Madeleine MAJORENKO, Head of the Division for European Neighbourhood policy (ENP) • Embassies: Igor DAVIDOVIC, Head of Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU Gordana MILOSEVIC, Counsellor, Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU; Hana KOUDMANI, Researcher, Permanent l-r : Mario Aymerich, European Investment Bank, Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines, MEP and Fathallah Sijilmassi, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Delegation of the League of Arab States; Mohamedou Moustapha DIAKITÉ KABA, Counsellor, Mauritanian Embassy; Hadi SHEBLI, Member at Embassy of Palestine Authority; Mr Nabil BEN KHEDHER, Plenipotentiary Minister, Tunisian Embassy; Mounir BEN RJIBA, Counsellor, Tunisian Embassy; Mounir BELAYACHI, Ambassador’s Assistant, Embassy of Morocco; Talal DAHER, First Secretary at Lebanese Embassy; Ilir NEZAJ, Counsellor, Albanian Delegation; Maged MOSLEH, Assistant Head of Delegation, Embassy of Egypt; Ala ALGHIZZAWI, Second Secretary, Jordanian Delegation to the EU; Mohamed Sofiane BERRAH, Counsellor, Embassy of Algeria; Suzana DREŠAJ, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the EU. This event provided a forum for discussing the role of the Union for the Mediterranean and concrete actions of P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 79 l- r: Jean Roatta MEP, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean and Fathallah Sijilmassi, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean the European investment Bank, as well as its financial instrument, the FEMIP, in the Mediterranean region and within the framework of the various UfM projects. The European investment Bank has a specific section for co-operation with Mediterranean countries: the facility for Euro-Mediterranean investment and partnership (FEMIP). In recent years the FEMIP has contributed to strengthening the institutions that work in the political domain and in cooperation with the Mediterranean, such as the Barcelona process and the Union for the Mediterranean. 80 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Many complementary actions have been carried out in the Mediterranean region by the EIB-FEMIP. The EIB developed lines of investment and important projects within the framework of the FEMIP, which has the task of contributing to the economic and social development of partner countries of the Mediterranean, and which are the main guiding lines for the future development of the region. The FEMIP gives financial support to municipalities and helps them carry out their projects. It also lends support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to the Mario AYMERICH explained that the European investment Bank funded many projects amounting to 10 billion Euros in various sectors such as transport, renewable energy, clean-up of the Mediterranean and urban development. The priorities of the EIB are economic growth and job creation, knowing that if we want to stop the migratory flow, we must help the countries on the South. This is the reason why this is a priority for Europe today. The Union for the Mediterranean brings together 43 countries on both sides of the Mediterranean. It aims to strengthen regional cooperation in areas such as transport and mobility, sustainable development, the environment, water, education, justice, women’s rights, job creation and infrastructures. There are currently 16 projects in progress. Fathallah Sijilmassi, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean sectors of industry, energy, the environment, transport and telecommunications as well as development of human and social capital. The General Secretary of the Union for the Mediterranean, Fathallah SIJILMASSI, outlined in his contribution that “we must not be overly positive, but we must not be too pessimistic either. We must be down to earth, know what we have done and what we can realistically do. We must be operational and work on what is possible today, and that is exactly what we are showing today. The added value of the Union for the Mediterranean is the fact that the North and the South are working together to establish priorities and take action. It is the only framework in which the North and the South really work together. In order to succeed, we must not forget the “human factor”. We must be in a position to offer young people prospects for the future”. l-r : Jean Roatta MEP, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines, MEP, Mario Aymerich, European Investment Bank P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 81 l- r : Fathallah Sijilmassi, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines MEP, Mario Aymerich, European Investment Bank, Jean Roatta MEP, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean 82 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Irène Mingasson, Head of Unit, Regional Programmes - Regional Neighbourhood South, DG DEVCO European Commission P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 83 84 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Exchange Programmes with countries of the south of the Mediterranean Following the political and social upheavals brought about by the “Arab Revolutions” which began in 2011, the EPP Group developed an Exchange Programme to establish and strengthen the links with the new Parties and the movements of civil society of the Countries of the South Bank of the Mediterranean. The aim of this initiative was to give the EPP new means of action in this region and to become an influential force for the promotion of democracy in the freedom and respect for fundamental rights. The EPP and the “Wilfried Martens” Foundation are associated with the Programme. The series of Exchange Programme began with Tunisia and six Members of the Jomhouri, Nidaa Tounes, and Ennhadha Parties and four representatives of the Youth Front were invited to Brussels from 23 to 29 September 2012. A second Exchange Programmes took place in Brussels from 22 to 26 September 2013 with the participation of 14 Members of the Moroccan Parliament belonging to the following parties: Istiqlal (Independence Party), People’s Movement, National Rally of Independents, Constitutional Union, Authenticity and Modernity Party and the Justice and Development Party, as well as representatives of Moroccan civil society. Algeria was the last country with whom the EPP family held an Exchange Programme, from 27 to 30 January 2014 in Brussels. The EPP welcomed 8 members of the Algerian Parliament belonging to the National Rally for Democracy party and two representatives of Algerian civil society. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 85 The partnership between the EPP, the EPP Group and the “Wilfried Martens” Foundation met with great success for all the Exchange Programmes. The partnership allowed for a full and intensive programme which was much appreciated by our guests. The discussions, which were always very open, were a forum to present the values of the EPP family and to exchange ideas, aspirations and difficulties with our neighbours, who find they are living through a difficult period of a new era. The seminars organised during the Exchange Programmes covered many subjects concerning political dialogue, economic and social cooperation as well as concrete matters like immigration, security and university exchanges, to name but a few. During the discussions the EPP always asserted their viewpoint on values, especially, peace, democracy, rule of Law, fundamental rights and respect for ethnic and religious minorities. The Exchange Programmes also allowed for rapprochement with the guest parties and ease of dialogue between them. The dialogue on a national level is the key to success in bringing about necessary reforms to set up rule of law, regulations regarding democracy and individual freedom, including freedom of expression and religious practice. The EPP Group Exchange Programme Tunisia 23 - 29 September 2012, Brussels The series of Exchange Programme began with Tunisia when six Members of the The Jomhouri, Nidaa Tounes, and Ennhadha Parties and four representatives of the Youth Front were invited to Brussels from 23 to 29 September 2012. 86 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Coordinator of WG Euromed and Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of Union for Mediterranean On this occasion, the Group, the Party and the “Wilfried Martens” Foundation provided several opportunities for discussion and meetings with the Members of the Group dealing with current topics and the future of the region. Martin KAMP, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, welcomed the Tunisian Delegation and he introduced the Group, its mode of operation and the schedule for the week. He opened the floor for comments and suggestions. The Tunisian Delegation expressed the wish that in the future the programme be decided together. Among the activities was a seminar to discuss the future of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) and cooperation between the parliamentary groups. Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, opened the meeting by underlining the strategic importance assumed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM), being the only parliamentary body bringing together all the states of the Mediterranean. He pointed out that aim of this Assembly is to represent all the Mediterranean people with a view to achieving common political stances and improving the quality of life of citizens. “This Assembly is the special and unique place to help increase parliamentary culture, which is the reason why we must entrust precise responsibilities and duties to the PA-UfM”, he said. Jean ROATTA MEP, referred to the economic situation of the region, stating that for centuries there has been economic and financial exchanges in the Mediterranean, which facilitated important cultural and socio-economic development. The Economic Committee of the PA-UfM meets to examine the new economic future which must be based on common and essential values. Jean ROATTA MEP Jean Roatta MEP, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean and EPP delegate for Morocco said that the changes in Tunisia are opening up a new vista for a new economic phase and decentralised cooperation. Tokia SAÏFI MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on political affairs, security and Human Rights of the PA-UfM explained that P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 87 the situation in the Middle East remains at the centre of debates in the Political Committee where among others a Palestinian delegate and and Israeli delegate sit as Vice-presidents. However, the Arab Revolutions and the prospects for the future of the citizens of the Mediterranean basin took up most of the committee’s debate. Tokia SAÏFI MEP also stressed the importance of supporting efforts to establish a real democracy, as well as economic and social progress. She announced the organisation of two forums of her committee: the Forum on Civil Society in Marseilles in 2013 and the Forum on Women in Casablanca in November 2012. Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU MEP, Vice-president of the EP and Member of the PA-UfM, commented on the importance of bringing together the Tunisian Members and the representatives of young people of civil society for a week to discuss, share and plan common projects. programme by doubling its funding. This could contribute to mutual confidence. Marie-Thérèse SANCHEZ-SCHMID MEP said that a priority for the culture Committee of the PA-UfM is participation in the “EU2020” strategy. The aim of this strategy is to develop intra-Mediterranean mobility by starting with young university students, and also by professional training. Education must have pride of place. In order to be efficient and provide the most opportunities, exchanges must be made in the two directions. Marie-Thérèse SANCHEZ-SCHMID MEP recalled that “in order for people to understand each other they must first know each other”. Therefore it is important to set up exchanges between universities and academics, in addition She presented the initiatives made in the PA-UfM to promote the University networks of the Mediterranean, from Portorose in Slovenia. The Euromed universities are a new idea; here people can do masters and doctorates. The network provides for extending higher education and professional skills of young people to respond better to the cultural and social challenges mainly, but also economic and global ones. However, although it is innovative, this project needs the various universities involved. Without them, it is impossible to put together funds, know-how and human resources. Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU MEP, also stressed the importance of strengthening the Erasmus Mundus EU 88 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E The Tunisian delegation Sonia KARMA, the Nidaa Tounes Party, made the comment that Tunisia still had a long way to go and that “its” international institutions (the African Union and the Arab League) are not very active. In the context of culture and education, she pointed out that there should be co-operation between the Universities and enterprises. Firas ABDELKEFI, the Youth Front said that they need a road map: “It is clear to us that there are several obstacles to the work of the UfM, especially the Israeli-Arab conflict”. Marie-Thérèse SANCHEZ-SCHMID MEP, stated that the partnership between the two banks of the Mediterranean should be built together and that each should be able to find opportunities therein. Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights of the PA UfM Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vicepresident of the EP and Member of the PA-UfM to the exchanges between institutions, to establish strong cultural links. With respect to education, that translates into the initiative “Erasmus for all”. Nebil CHEMEK, the Jomhouri Party, said that there should be more transparency and more media coverage as well as more immediate effects. He also stresses that there should be more mobility: free exchange and free movement of people and goods between equal partners. “This would resolve all the socio-economic problems of Tunisia”. The EU is participating mainly for the creation of policies with shared values. Here the European experience brings pragmatic know-how, that is to say that the constitution of uncontrolled funds is detrimental for the smaller and weaker economies. It is important to agree on priorities and then to advance with defined aims. It is work that will take a long time, the short-term not envisaged. Tokia SAÏFI MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on political affairs, security and Human Rights of the PA-UfM explained that the UfM was set up to strengthen the former Partnership (the Barcelona Process), which petered out due to lack of visibility and following the problems arising from the Middle East conflict. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 89 The idea behind the UfM was to give the people of the Mediterranean basin greater insight into the results of the UfM and to create more projects involving these populations. As for the Israeli-Arab conflict, that is also part of the UfM. The Assembly wanted to leave aside the political issues in the framework of the solution to the conflict. The aim is to move towards better integration on the level of the UfM. The Euro-Mediterranean project can only be developed through common understanding and dialogue. Imen BEN MOHAMMED, the Ennahdha Party, said that the Mediterranean is linked through love and hate. With regard to the university, Tunisia must adapt by introducing reforms. The problem lies in the difficulties adapting, and the difficulties that young people have if they stay in the country, as there is no hope for their future. Nebil Chemek, Jomhouri Party A second seminar was organised to discuss the situation of Tunisia in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Cristian Dan PREDA MEP and Vice-coordinator of the EP Committee on Political Affairs, chaired the meeting and explained that the EU and the EPP Group wish to have much greater involvement in the Mediterranean; hence the increase in financial and technical resources in the European budgets benefiting the Mediterranean basin. He 90 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Imen Ben Mohammed, Ennahdha Party supported the creation of a real partnership that would only be possible with the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as with the creation of strong institutions in order to have true democracy there. He also commented that the position of the EPP Group is very clear in its support of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the rights and freedom of religious and ethnic minorities in the Mediterranean. The EPP Group is participating in the development of region and in strengthening links between the different banks of the Mediterranean. With this in mind, the EPP Group asked Sonia Karma, the Nidaa Tounes Party Mohammed Khardhaoui, the Ennahdha Party the institutions of the European Union to support the populations who demonstrated for their rights during the Arab revolutions. The EPP Group provides regular support to the civil society by way of its foundations. Cristian Dan PREDA MEP said that in his opinion, only democracy for the people could ensure stability. The EPP Group is ready to make a contribution and lend its expertise to institute true democracies with solid institutions. Alessio CAPPELLANI, EEAS, explained that the European External Action Service (EEAS) is giving electoral assistance to Tunisia. The EU’s perception of the Tunisian Cristian Dan Preda MEP and Vice-coordinator of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the EP political context shows a transition that will be difficult. All fundamental freedoms are globally respected in the Country. The EU defends the fact that the Tunisian Constitution belongs solely to the Tunisians, but there are strong concerns about certain articles, such as those on freedom of speech and freedom of the media (which will be limited), justice that is sometimes partial or a security sector that has not yet been regularised. After January 2011, the EU focused on political support by means of visits and the strengthening of bilateral relations. In this context technical assistance was provided by the EU on the election front (organisation of elections, Civil Society P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 91 l-r : Chokri Zoghlami and Khalil Ghanmi, Al Jomhouri Party Observatory and media Observatory). In cooperation with Tunisia, budgets were increased regularly. Moreover the EU plans the negotiation of ACAA with Tunisia, the integration of the Tunisian economy with the European economy and the liberalisation of air services. Nabil BEN KHEDHER, Chargé d’Affaires at the Tunisian Embassy to the EU, stressed that since the revolution, the EU has given Tunisia very wide political support and very strong solidarity, such as the follow-up carried out by a task force, which maintained the advanced status. However, 92 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Nabil Ben Khedher, Chargé d’Affaires for the European Union at the Tunisian Embassy Tunisia is requesting a special partnership and a strong formula that would give access to a better status. This status will come from its effects through the Action Plans of the next five years and could lead to a new partnership. Tunisia, however, asked to go beyond the simple freeexchange, which meant observing community gains. In any case these negotiations would take several years. Other new files would be introduced, such as the issues of mobility and dealing with the management of migratory EPP exchange week with Tunisia flows. Tunisia asked the EU for not just programmes to stop illegal immigration, but also ones to facilitate development of internal regions. Tunisia had advantages; it is a moderate country with a young population and respect for women’s rights. BEN KHEDHER added that above all democracy should be consolidated and that socio-economic sectors should be developed. Tunisia wanted a partnership that would last, as well as to be treated as an equal. Sonia KARMA, Nidaa Tounes Party, pointed out that the Action Plan had indicators imposed by the EU and that all hoped that women’s rights would be maintained. Sonia Karma asked why Morocco had a special status and Tunisia did not. Regarding the Maghreb Arab Union (MAU), she stated that Tunisia was the only country which currently had relations with all its neighbours. One solution could be to make a number of bilateral agreements. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 93 Imen BEN MOHAMMED, the Ennahdha Party, pointed out that there were positive and negative points and that the future Constitution only concerned the Tunisians. Drawing this up is difficult and the Tunisian Constituent Assembly decided to look at examples abroad. Cristian Dan Preda, MEP and Vice-Coordinator of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group Khalil GHANMI, Jomhouri Party, underlined the importance of the main points in the new special status in the context of the Association Agreement. Mohammed KHARDHAOUI, Ennahdha Party, stressed the fact that the Arab revolutions changed the dynamics in many respects, especially in the mentality of the people. 94 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Nabil BEN KHEDHER, EU Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Tunisia, underlined the difference in terminology between the Association Agreement, which constitutes a legal framework of reference and the Action Plan which is, on the other hand, nonbinding, but with which we are trying to do as much as possible. The Association Agreement is an international Agreement. The Action Plan is a political agreement which is going to open the way for other binding agreements. He said they would like to have discussions about agreements with the Civil Society. The EPP family for a Mediterranean Charter of Values focusing on the promotion of the Fundamental Rights of Democracy, the Rule of Law, Women’s Rights and Religious Freedom Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP and Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, underlined the importance of common values which would guarantee the union between the two shores of the Mediterranean. He stressed that the EPP Group was very committed to the promotion of values. The Mediterranean Charter of Values is an initiative of the EPP family which reflects the value of creating links in the Mediterranean, starting with common links. The aim of the EPP Group is the promotion of Fundamental Rights, democracy, Fundamental Freedoms the Rule of Law, women’s Rights, religious freedom and respect for minorities. Jaime MAYOR OREJA MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group and Head of the Spanish Delegation to the EPP Group underlined the importance of discussing the common values of the Mediterranean region. The future will be cultural in essence, based on the nature of humankind and its inherent values. He stressed that value of the “person” was the same on both shores of the Mediterranean. For this they must find points in common. The Vice-chairman and Head of the Spanish Delegation explained that there are two types of values: those that affect the nature of a person and social values. The problem arises when Humans, for convenience and out of self-interest, invent false rights such as the “right to abortion” or the “right to euthanasia”. He also pointed out the importance of creating a forum in the Mediterranean for real dialogue on common values. Jan OLBRYCHT MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, referred to the debate on the religious question saying that there should be a separation between religion and politics at international level. At the same time, there must be cooperation, dialogue and a presence between politics and religion. The EPP Group is counting on the presence of committed Christians in politics to defend its values. Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group and Head of the Spanish Delegation Values such as the dignity of the person are universal and these values are present in European Union texts. For these reasons, the politicians should have a religious and intercultural dialogue. Religious freedom is very important for every society, whether in Europe or elsewhere. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 95 “What is a person?” asked Mario MAURO. He made the comment that you must understand in order to fully respect what your dignity is. He underlined that we can defend and respect human dignity. Religion is the greatest opportunity there is to understand humankind. If religion becomes an ideology, this reasoning becomes null and void. This is the essence itself of the Christian Democrat parties, which started in Europe. Because of this choice there are three results visible in Europe: there is no death penalty, an exceptional case for the last 70 years; Europe has become rich (well-being); and the EU is living in peace which is exceptional in the history of the continent. You must have dialogue between people. In a democracy a compromise has to be reached. Mario MAURO MEP, underlined that if one person says something silly and the other person does too and we reach a compromise; then the result is a catastrophe. Therefore, what is needed is truth. It is for this reason that there is a programme in place to get to know each other, he added. Jan Olbrycht MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group Mario MAURO MEP Head of the Italian Delegation to the EPP Group, pointed out that the fundamental aspects of the EPP family are democracy and development. He said that the birth of Christian democracy was a response to ideologies which are the representations of reality, leaving behind a part of reality itself in its own vision. The ideologies wish to fit reality to its concepts. The worst ideology possible is religious fundamentalism, hence the idea of Christian democracy. The religious person is a free person because he/she knows that there is something greater than political life. 96 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group pointed out the importance of respecting and ensuring individual rights and the rights common to each person as the axis of our action and our dialogue with our partners in the Mediterranean. This is why the EPP Group proposed the preparation of a Charter of Values in the context of the PA-UfM. This initiative of the EPP Group was adopted at the Rabat Plenary session in March 2012. The Charter of Values advocates in favour of the promotion of Human rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The same goes for Gender equality, religious freedom, the struggles against racism and equality of opportunity. The independence of justice is another fundamental point. been transformed and has become universal and tolerant. He also criticised religious minorities and insisted on the distinction between State, politics and religion. Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP also pointed out that in Europe there is also a debate on the role of religion and that this debate is very important. The global economic crisis is in part due to the loss of values, brought about by a society that has become too egotistical. He stressed that the EPP Group launched an appeal in Rabat for an inter-ministerial meeting in favour of an Agreement between governments, national parliaments and the European Parliament, and also perhaps to include representatives of civil society. Sonia KARMA, the Nidaa Tounes Party, greatly appreciated the philosophical, cultural, religious and political dimensions that were presented. She added that Tunisia had been the first Arab country to have a constitution (1861), to abolish slavery and to “liberate” women. She pointed out that they felt a link with the EPP family. However, there are not just the religious aspects to be considered as a basis, but there is also the humanitarian side (non-religious). In Tunisia, values are essential. Dialogue must lead us to a consensus. In Tunisia, it is life that is at the centre, as it is sacred (religion). Rabeb BELTAIEF, Ennahdha Party, stressed the fact that there is a “moderate interpretation” in Tunisia in the reading of Islam. She considered that the French-style secular extremism is just as dangerous as religious extremism. Montassar JEMMALI, President of the League of Young Patriots, stated that Islam is a tolerant religion but that some Muslims make no effort to progress. He criticised certain interpretations of Islam that remained in the 16th century. In Europe, on the other hand, we see that Christianity has Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian PDL Delegation, EPP Group P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 97 Jan OLBRYCHT MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group wished to stress that even in the EPP Group, there are internal debates on various subjects such as religious freedom and the members are not always of the same opinion. The debate reminded him of the political parties in Poland in the years 1980 to 1990 when there was opposition between Communists and Solidarity. From 1990 to 1995, the Communists divided into Socialists, Socialdemocrats and Post-communists, whereas Solidarity saw the appearance of one party that was more of solidarity and another more liberal. There was thus an economic rule, a value rule and a European rule. It is very complicated. Nebil CHEMEK, Jomhouri, agrees with the values formulated because according to him these are Islam values. 90% of Tunisians are Muslims and so what is sacred is important. The Tunisian revolution is not ideological; it was organised for freedom, dignity and employment. Tolerance leads to respect. With regard to the separation between State and religion, or politics and religion, he said that politics and religion are different, but the latter provides vales that inspire the State and laws. He pointed out the Republican Party of which he is a member, is very close to the EPP family. During the recent Tunisian elections, there was manipulation of the electoral debate; some said “to be more religious that others”. Wala GASMI, Youth Front, wished to know what position the EPP held in relation to the right to blasphemy. She also recalled the case of a rape victim who was convicted of indecency and asked what the opinion of the EPP Group was on this point. Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP, on the subject of blasphemy, spoke of the use that is made of laws. In all societies 98 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Rabeb Beltaief, Ennahdha Party respect for the religion of others is fundamental. The debate should therefore centre on respect.. The main thing is not to turn to extremes. In the three great religions of the Mediterranean, 99% of the values are the same. Imen BEN MOHAMMED, the Ennahdha Party, wanted it noted that his Party is convinced of the need for dialogue. With regard to religious minorities, his Party seeks respect for the rights of and for religious minorities in Europe. most Tunisian politicians. Their aim is to create channels of communication between Europe and the young people of Tunisia. Mario MAURO MEP referred to the work of Fedor Dostievsky on the relationship between truth and religion. “I would choose truth over religion, for God is truth, but throughout history there have been gods that were not true”. This is also true for politics; the politician and politics are not the truth. He said that politics could subscribe to truth, but must take a stance in favour of peace and development. Otherwise we enter conflict and in conflict we cannot carry on with politics. Truth is the starting point for understanding the reasons of the other person. We cannot say that the other person is wrong because we ourselves are not the truth. The duty of the politician is to understand the reasons of the other (and that is Europe). So that is why Christian democracy is anti-ideological. Jean ROATTA MEP, Member of the PA-UfM, said that in politics one needs truth but also courage. He wished to know how the Tunisian guests saw the future of their country. Wala Gasmi, Youth Front Party Mohammed KHARDHAOUI, the Ennahdha Party, said that they have full respect for modernity, the aim of creating a system like the Turkish one, which in fact inspires Arabic thinkers. In the end, according to him Ennahdha is made up of progressive people. You must have instruction in dialogue and listen to others. Zied SAGHARI, Youth Front, noted that Tunisians were in too much of a hurry with regard to Transitional Justice. On the status of women, it must be considered that the code of personal status has been achieved, even though made up of 99% of Shariah precepts. Borhene EDDINE FAKHFAKH, the Youth Front, considered that the use of religion in politics is a widespread habit for P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 99 Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group with the Tunisian Delegation Outline of Parties invited (based on information dated 23 September 2012) and participants in the EPP Group exchange week Ennahda Party The party was established in 1981. It was prohibited until the fall of the Ben Ali Regime and the RCD. This, however, does not mean that the Ennahda Party was not very much in existence before it was legalised, which only occurred on 1st March 2011. Ennahda has 89 seats of a total of 217 at the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia (41.01%) and is the largest party in Tunisia. Ennahda has been present in the Tunisian Government 100 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E since the end of 2011 (after the elections), with 14 ministers out of 30 in the first democratically elected government, which constituted the largest proportion of ministers. Following governmental changes, 2 other ministers were acquired by it. The Ennahda Party is defined as a Centre-right party, with ideologies of moderate Islam, “Muslim democracy” and economic liberalism. The rise to power of an Islam party with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, was feared in the context of Tunisia’s long history of secularism. However, Ennahda adopted more moderate positions in order to calm things down and has repeatedly reassured civil and international opinions about its projects. •the Tunisian Republican Party, unrepresented, as well as certain Members from other orientations the independent Slah Eddine Zahaf and the former Member of Ettakatol Abdelkader Ben Khemir. •The Republican Party defines itself as a centrist, liberal party. The party is led by Maya JRIBI, former SecretaryGeneral of the PDP. It is the largest Tunisian party to be led by a woman. Moreover, 4 out of the 9 positions at the Jomhouri Secretariat-General are occupied by women. Following the founding congress, nine elected Members of the PDP contested the internal vote and temporarily suspended their party membership. l-r: Jan Olbrycht MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group, Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-chairman of the EPP Group and Head of the Spanish Delegation, Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice- chairman of the EPP Group Participants from the Ennahda Party: Mohamed KHADHRAOUI, Chokri ZOGHLAMI, Imen BEN MOHAMED, Amel BEN NASSER, Rabeb BELTAIEF and Tarek BEN AHMED. Jomhouri Party (Republican Party) The Republican Party was established on 9 April 2012, following the merging of the following political parties: •the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), established in 1983 •Afek Tounes (AT), established in 2011 The Party obtained 22 seats out of 217 (10.14%): 16 from the PDP, 4 from Afek Tounes and two other Members (an independent and a former Ettakatol). However, it dropped to 20 over the course of recent months. It is still the main opposition party in Tunisia and the second largest party in the country equally placed with the DFLL Party (Ettakatol) At the moment, the political Group PDP in the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia is still stable, although some dissident Members want to create a new Group, with the support of dissident Members from Ettakatol and the Congress for the Republic (CPR), two minor parties participating in the government. The founding members of the Republican Party did not enter the governmental coalition. On the executive committee are: Maya JRIBI, Secretary-general (ex PDP) and Yassine BRAHIM: Executive secretary (ex Afek Tounes). Among the Tunisian Parties, Jomhouri stands out for its work regarding the economic situation, which is still vulnerable, and the fight against extremism. The situation is tense given that the opposition among the conservatives P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 101 (particularly the Ennahda Party) and the progressives (including the Jomhouri Party) focuses on issues such as mentioning Islam in the Constitution, the role and rights of women and international relations. The Republican Party created, in collaboration with the Democratic Modernist Pole, a political platform to the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia called “Group of Democrats”. Participants from the Jomhouri Party: Nebil CHEMEK and Khalil GHANI. Nidaa Tounes Party Nidaa Tounes was launched on 20 April 2012 and legalised on 16 July 2012. Its founder is Béji CAÏD ESSEBSI, who was Prime Minister of Tunisia during most of the transition period (from February 2011, after Mohamed Ghannouchi, until December 2011, with the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Hamadi Jebali). The Party currently has 6 Members in the Constituent Assembly. It is in opposition and attempts to engage in “constructive opposition of the government”. Its objectives are as follows: • The need for the Constituent Assembly to officially define the duration for drafting the Constitution and to immediately begin to make preparations for the next elections within the timeframes set. • The implementation of a rescue plan for the national economy based on consensus in order to regain the confidence of the citizens, restore security and stability with the aim of encouraging production, development and investments, create further employment and slow the deterioration of the purchasing power of citizens. 102 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E • The necessity in social terms to attach greater importance to young people and to establish an urgent plan for vulnerable groups and marginalised regions on the basis of social equity and national solidarity. • The launch, as part of a national consensus, of a transitional justice process with well-defined objectives through an independent mechanism. This would to handle past violations and to hold the perpetrators accountable and, at the same time, provide compensation for the victims in such a way that these events of the past are not repeated. • The removal of the danger of returning to interference between the State apparatus and the apparatus of the parties in power, while guaranteeing neutrality of the administration in such a way that the selection of leaders is solely based on competence and that the appointment of senior Government officials on the basis of political persuasion ceases immediately. • The neutrality of mosques while terminating the militia phenomenon and avoiding a return to dictatorship. • The safeguarding of new-found individual and collective freedoms and protecting them against any violations and threats. This also applies to the freedom of the press, of expression and of organisation, while retaining the benefits of modern Tunisian society and above all the rights of women. • The enforcement of laws to prevent the dangers of terrorism which threaten social security and the national and international interests of Tunisia. Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid, MEP, Member of the Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean with the Lebanese representatives, candidates in the elections of June 2013 in Lebanon • The reinforcement of Tunisia’s role at an international level, avoiding any course of alignment abroad, in accordance with positive neutrality in the principles of respect for human rights, the rights of peoples and the rights of relevant international conventions. ministers, radical leftist activists and numerous “free spirits”. While Nidaa Tounes tried to have a dialogue with Ennahdha, the latter rejected it. There have been talks to create a “Popular Front”, a left alliance within the Constituent Assembly, which would include Nidaa Tounes. Many former players from the beginning of the transition have come together on this initiative. They include former Participant of the Nidaa Tounes Party: Sonia KARMA. P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 103 Youth Front Party The Youth Front Party (FJ) is a spontaneous association created at the end of January 2011 by young Tunisians “keen to contribute to the Jasmine revolution”. Having had difficulties finding a political party which represented them amongst those already in existence, these young Tunisians founded their own association and began political work, while searching for other young people who couldn’t find their political ideas on the current political landscape. Participants from the Youth Front: Wala GASMI, Firas ABDELKEFI, Zied SAGHARI and Borhene Eddine FAKHFAKH. The role of women in the Mediterranean The EPP Group meets with female Lebanese candidates for the parliamentary elections in June 2013 - Lebanon 9 - 10 April 2013, Brussels The FJ opted not to participate in the elections on 23 October 2011, preferring to strengthen their political commitments. It is currently established in all the Governorates of Tunisia, with the exception of the Sahel governorates (Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia) and that of Jendouba (North-West). The EPP Group considers that the participation of women in public life is essential, particularly in the democratisation process and governance of the South Mediterranean countries. Women are the main foundation for a real change in society towards true democracy. The Youth Front is committed to many activities, the political awareness of citizens and the creation of networks to connect people. Many members of the FJ have also carried out journalistic work, travelling to where they observed events in order to document the situation and provide people with access to real, unaltered information. It should be noted that FJ is not a party and does not carry out political work. It is more of a civil society organisation. However, a large number of its members wonder whether they should become a political party or not for the forthcoming elections. For this reason, on the initiative of Marie Thérèse SANCHEZSCHMID MEP, the EPP Group arranged for female Lebanese candidates for the parliamentary elections in June 2013 in Lebanon to visit the European Parliament in Brussels. The Members of the Youth Front feel that they are more concerned with security and economic matters (higher unemployment, immigration levels, lack of economic opportunities, respecting social rights and reducing bureaucracy). 104 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E The coming to the European Parliament of 10 female candidates for the elections was an exceptional opportunity to send out a political message from the EPP Group in support of the women from the South Mediterranean, in order to encourage the deserving women to run for office and to equip them with tools which are critical to the success of their political endeavours. This visit allowed them to meet with parliamentarians and experts who provided them with expertise and essential enrichment in subjects such as women’s rights, parliamentary life and its functioning. The date of the meeting, on the eve plenary assembly in Brussels, coinciding of the electoral campaign in Lebanon, extraordinary opportunity for the success of the PA-UFM with the launch represented an of this visit. Marie-Thérèse SANCHEZ-SCHMID MEP met with the association “Women in Front”, whose mission is to request parity from the Lebanese Parliament, which could be used to set an example for neighbouring countries in the South Mediterranean region. “Women in Front” (WF), an association initiated by women in the Lebanese civil society in June 2012, aims to promote a fairer women’s representation in public life and in politics. At a time when steps taken by the WF with regard to known political factions in Lebanon have ended in a waiting game, the EPP Group thought that a visit of this scale would have considerable impact. It would have beneficial impact for both the EPP Group and the women in terms of media coverage, and it would be considerable leverage to raise still further awareness amongst the political parties in Lebanon. Furthermore, this initiative was an opportunity to take important action for women’s rights, and particularly the right to parity in a nearby Mediterranean country. Indeed, the EPP Group is well known for defending these values and for its involvement in the Mediterranean. José Ignacio SALAFRANCA MEP, Co-ordinator of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament and Head of the Lebanese election observation delegation, chaired the Meeting. As an expert on North Africa and the Middle East, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA MEP, explained the importance for the EPP Group of having a close relationship with Lebanon and the female candidates. In 2005 and 2009, he was the Head of the European Union election observation delegation. On both occasions, he was able to observe a complex political situation based on a religious and cultural patchwork. Following the election observation mission, numerous recommendations were drafted in order to improve the political and legislative dimensions in Lebanon. The main outcome of this observation was the poor representation of women in the Parliamentary Assembly and in the political parties. It highlighted the various recommendations made by the delegation with regard to discrimination which jeopardises the Lebanese political landscape. Today, the European Union is attempting to change foreign policy vis-à-vis countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean. José Ignacio SALAFRANCA MEP visited several countries after the Arab revolution (Tunisia, Egypt and Libya), to assess the European Union’s action towards the democratic progress in countries in the region. In conclusion, he stressed the importance of clarifying domestic policy in Lebanon. Modernisation of the future electoral law may be an opportunity for women to benefit from a better place in the political landscape. He also pointed out the need to clarify the consequences of the Syrian morass in Lebanon. Joëlle ABOU FARHAT RIZKALLAH, Vice-president of “Women in Front,” presented her non-governmental P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 105 women: the creation of a manifesto, the launch of a campaign, the identification of 64 potential candidates for the elections and finally the creation of a website. Moreover, in order to ensure the presence of women in the political arena, quotas are being suggested. Mariya GABRIEL MEP, Member of the EPP Group and Member of the Committee on women’s rights and gender equality in the European Parliament, stressed the importance of values and women’s rights as a fundamental step for a modern state. On the two Mediterranean banks, the issues for women are the same. The European institutions may serve as an example to be followed by the Lebanese candidates. For example, inside the European Parliament parity Mariya GABRIEL MEP, Member of the EPP Group and Member of Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality is respected. Quotas are a sensitive subject for Mariya organisation and its objectives, the main one being to GABRIEL, MEP as well as for José Ignacio SALAFRANCA improve the empowerment of women in Lebanon for MEP. greater visibility in the media and the political landscape. Santiago FISAS AYXELA MEP also stressed the sensitiveness Although Lebanon may be a democratic country and is of applying a policy of quotas. Nevertheless, that could be considered to be one of the most democratic countries in a way of increasing the role of women in politics. the Arab world, educated women in employment do not Sergio SILVESTRIS MEP, Member of the EPP Group and participate in political life in the Lebanese Parliament or in Member of the Committee on women’s rights in the the political parties. Only four women are represented in Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, the Lebanese Assembly. said that the European Union was committed to improving women’s role in politics. Financial aid was invested in Thus, “Women in Front” has created a strategy based on order to support women’s campaigns in the Arab world. various points in order to strengthen the representation of 106 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN AND ITS PARLIAMENTARY DIMENSION: THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN (PA-UfM) The PA-UfM represents the parliamentary section of the Union for the Mediterranean. It meets in plenary session at least once a year and comprises 280 Members, divided equally between the north and south banks of the Mediterranean. The Members of the South Shore are drawn from the national Parliaments of the member States of the EU and the EP. • Committee on women’s rights; • Committee on energy, environment and water; • Working Group on the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI); • Working Group on regulation and financial matters. Each year, the presidency of the PA-UfM appoints a different Member of the Bureau, while paying attention to parity and alternating between presidents from the north and the south. The PA-UfM Bureau is responsible for the coordination of the Assembly’s work and also has representative functions. It is comprised of four Members appointed for a period of four years; two Members Countries are appointed by the south of the of the North Mediterranean, one by the parliaments of the member States of the EU and the other by the European Parliament. The PA-UfM adopts resolutions or recommendations by consensus. They are not legally binding but contribute on all aspects of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation that is the remit of the executive bodies of the UfM, the Council of UE 81 49 Albania 140 Bosnia-Herzegovina Non UE Croatiea Monaco 10 Montenegro Algeria The PA-UfM has five permanent committees and two working Groups: • Committee on political affairs, security and human rights; • Committee on economic and financial affairs, social affairs and education; • Committee on improving quality of life, exchanges between civil societies and culture; National Parliaments (27) European Parliament Egypt Jordanian Israel Countries of the South Founding countries New countries Lebanon Morocco Palestine Syria Tunisia Turkey Mauritania 130 140 10 P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 107 the European Union, the European Commission and the national governments of the partner countries. The political family of the EPP was at the heart of the actions in favour of reviving the role of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean as the parliamentary section of the Union for the Mediterranean and of strengthening the role of its committees and working groups. The visibility of the PA-UfM depends on the ability to work together with our Mediterranean partners by associating the Council and the Commission. The PA-UfM is one of the rare organisations that bring together Israelis, Palestinians and other elected representatives of Arab countries around the same table. It includes permanent observers: the Arab inter-parliamentary Union, the Arab parliament, Libya, the Committee of the regions of the European Union and European Economic and Social Committee. should be closely involved in the preparation of the biannual Summits of the Heads of State as well as the annual meetings of the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean. In parallel, the rules of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean must be strengthened and more extensive and precise rules of operation devised. An ambitious project of the EPP Group is to constitute political families in the Assembly, as is the case in the EP. Thus, all the Members could organise themselves into political groups according to existing political families, going beyond the current Mediterranean Parliament - European Parliament - Parliaments of EU Member States, which would lead to better integration and efficiency. The visibility of the PAUfM was strengthened during the plenary sessions of Rome in 2011, Rabat in 2012, Brussels in 2013 and of the Dead Sea in 2014. Our Group showed how it could work together with our Mediterranean partners by associating the Council and the Commission. The EPP Group considers that it is important to seriously renew the relations between the European Union and the Mediterranean countries moving on from what has been achieved like the Assembly, which brings together 28 member States of the Union and the Mediterranean countries, including all the parties associated with the Middle East peace process as well as all the countries that have lived through the revolutions. The EPP Group proposes that the PA-UfM becomes a body with compulsory consultative power for all the points and subjects that will be discussed later at the Council of Ministers of the Union for the Mediterranean. The Council and the Commission of the EU should be associated with and present at the Assembly. In addition, the Assembly 108 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E Sari Essayah, Member of the PAUfM and Member of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Israel Presentation of the parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) Plenary Plenary Plenary Plenary Plenary session VI session VII session VIII session IX session X Amman, 12 - 14 March 2010 Rome, 3 - 4 March 2011 Rabat, 23 - 25 March 2012 Brussels, 11 - 12 April 2013 Dead Sea, 8 - 9 February 2014 The EPP Group was represented at the PA-UfM by a delegation of 18 Members, the largest Group present, presided by Vito BONSIGNORE MEP, Vice-chairman of the Group charged with Mediterranean Policy. He usually convened the EPP Members on the eve of the working meetings of the five committees and the eve of the plenary sessions to prepare the Group strategy. The Group had a strong presence from among the 18 Members at each of the plenary sessions. of EPP Members on the five committees and the role played by its Coordinators, most of the amendments were adopted. These included support for the democratisation of all the countries of the region, support for the consolidation of strong and democratic new institutions, the need for an immigration policy that could be based on a single EU strategy as well as an EU policy for refugees, support for the formation of small and medium enterprises, training, technologies, support of the private sector for respect of cultural heritage, improving the coordination of already existing financial instruments. • the formulation of a reservation to the Recommendation on “immigration and Integration”. The EPP Group did not give its agreement on articles relating to judicial issues affecting irregular immigrants, especially the rights and obligations. • more in-depth contact with Mediterranean interlocutors and with EPP national Members. These contacts should form part of a network to be developed between the EPP Group and the EPP. The EPP Group was able to state its political views on all the initiatives of the PA-UfM, including the following important issues: • the launch of the debate on the Charter of Values for the Mediterranean, on a revision of the current Mediterranean partnership by replacing the three pillars of the Union for the Mediterranean by three targets for political, economic and social cohesion, on an integrated policy on migratory flows which would make the EU and the third countries take on the responsibility, for matters of security in the region and on support for a market social economy • the submission of most of the written and verbal amendments to the various Recommendations of the five parliamentary committees. Thanks to a strong presence P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 109 Tasks of the parliamentary Committees The Committee on political affairs, security and human rights The Chairwoman of this Committee, Tokia SAÏFI MEP, succeeded in inserting compromise amendments on all delicate matters, especially the Middle East, in collaboration with the Israelis and the Palestinians. She also managed to obtain wide consensus on the question of the EMPA as Parliament of the Union for the Mediterranean. The plenary sessions adopted, by consensus the report of the Committee on political affairs presented during the various plenary sessions. - The Union for the Mediterranean – What is the added value for the development of the Euro-Mediterranean region? - Freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs, - The role of Civil Society in the international context of the UfM - Security in the Mediterranean. The economic Committee Most of the amendments of the EPP proposed by the coordinator Dominique VLASTO MEP presented during the various plenary sessions were adopted by a wide consensus. Among these amendments, it is important to stress the effect of the financial crisis, the willingness of creating a real forum of free-exchange and support for SMEs. The stumbling block at the economic Committee was the future of the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP). - Impact of the financial crisis, - The will to create a real free EuroMediterranean exchange, - The future of the Facility for EuroMediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP), - Support for SMEs, -U fM projects - assessment and vision for the future, - Euro-Mediterranean transport networks. Euro-Mediterranean Assembly 21 - 22 May 2010 Istanbul 110 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E The Committee on improving quality of life, exchanges between civil societies and culture Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP was the Coordinator of the EPP Group for this Committee during this legislative period. Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU MEP managed to have essential amendments inserted including on the subject of the EMUNI (Euro-Mediterranean University), the importance of cultural tolerance and the symbolism of Jordan. The point that caused the most disputes was respect and conservation of historic, cultural and religious sites. Extended discussions took place between Palestinians and Israelis. In the end a compromise was reached, by means of a reservation expressed by Israel. -C ommon history: culture and education (EMUNI and ERASMUS MUNDUS), - The creation of marine parks in the Mediterranean as a means of conservation of biological diversity, - Protection of the marine environment, - Waste management in the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. The Coordinator of the EPP Group Sergio SILVESTRIS, Vice-president of the Committee on women’s rights, always managed to get a wide consensus on the adoption of recommendations -C ombat against violence towards women in situations of armed conflict, - Recognition of the role of women in building peace, -P rotection of women in armed conflict and after conflict, the importance of preparing a data base in European and Euro-Mediterranean countries on crimes and violence against women and a system of training for civil society and ad hoc institutions, -C ommon sea: transport, agriculture and tourism in the Mediterranean area, -D ialogue between cultures and religions: towards a Mediterranean Charter of Values, - Immigration and integration; dialogue between the new generations for the development of a culture of peace, - The Mediterranean heritage: the preservation of archaeological sites. The Committee on women’s rights The coordinator of the EPP Group Sergio SILVESTRIS, Vice-president of the Committee on women’s rights, always managed to get a wide consensus on the adoption of recommendations. The Committee on economic and financial affairs, social affairs and education. Michael GAHLER MEP and Othmar KARAS MEP, Treasurer of the EPP Group P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 111 - Combat against any form of violence towards women, -G ender equality and its role in drawing up legislation and the development of practices, - Women and literacy in the Euro-Mediterranean region, -P romotion of the role of the woman: her involvement in economic life as a better means of accessing decisionmaking posts. The ad hoc Committee on energy and the environment The recommendations were always adopted unanimously by the Committee and the plenary session, thanks to the work carried out by the Members of the EPP Group. - Solar energy in the Mediterranean, - Water management, - The creation of marine parks in the Mediterranean as a means of conservation of biological diversity, - Protection of the marine environment, - Waste management in the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. 112 | P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY UNIT OF THE EPP GROUP - EUROMED Paolo LICANDRO, Deputy SecretaryGeneral, «Neighbourhood and intercultural activities policy» [email protected] Viviane CHAO, Assistant [email protected] Jorge SOUTULLO, Advisor responsible for Mediterranean policy [email protected] Maria Paola DE ANGELIS, Advisor [email protected] Marian APOSTOL, Advisor [email protected] Francesco FRAPICCINI, Press advisor [email protected] Concetta GUASTO, Assistant [email protected] Laura PROIETTI, Assistant [email protected] Virginia MILLAN DE SILVA, Assistant [email protected] David STELLINI, Press advisor [email protected] P O L I T I Q U E M É D I T E R R A N É E N N E | 113 Published by:Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) in the European Parliament Neighbourhood Policy and Intercultural Activities Service Address: European Parliament 60, rue Wiertz B-1047 Brussels Internet: www.eppgroup.eu E-mail : [email protected] Copyright : EPP Group in the European Parliament Design and Layout: Media Process