EUobserver.com: A European Monroe Doctrine - Brussels outlines plan for new Mediterranean club - by Honor Mahoney
Brussels outlines plan for new Mediterranean club - by Honor Mahoney
The European Commission has begun to look at the possible set-up for the planned Mediterranean union by trying to breathe life into current bilateral relations between the EU and Mediterranean countries while avoiding an unwieldy new political organization.
An internal paper discussed last week in EU commissioners' cabinets, suggests the new relationship has to be a "multilateral partnership" and "encompass all member states of the European Union."It suggests summits at head of state and government level twice a year with the first official one to take place in Paris on 13 July, when France has the EU presidency. This maiden summit is to formally create the "Barcelona Process - A Union for the Mediterranean" and establish the union's "structures and principle goals." The summit's conclusions should include "a political declaration" and a short list of "concrete projects to be put in place" all of which should be agreed by consensus.
Labels: EU
