Monday 09 June 2008 7:40:47 pm

Re:Are we efficient enough accross the Mediterranean?

I think there are a quite good number of steps towards achieving this efficiency that has already been taken and there are also a quite good number of steps will be taken in the near future.

The Mediterranean region has a unique characteristic, that allows it to adapt and form ways of communications, cooperation and understanding between its both shores.

Recently culture ministers and civil society representatives from the 39 members of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership met in Athens on 29/30 May 2008 to exchange views on the cultural dimension of the partnership and to explore the substance and scope of a joint cultural strategy. They discussed the political processes and mechanisms that will lead to the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Cultural Strategy.

The meeting was set within the context of the "2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue" and that of the “2008 Euro-Mediterranean year of dialogue between cultures”. It followed the recent policy recommendations by the Commission for the upgrading of relations with Mediterranean partners in its Communication ‘Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean’.

The conclusions of this meeting have been published on EC website (link). These conclusions and also the outcomes of the soon to come the launch of the "Union for the Mediterranean" initiative next July in France, will shape the future of our region.

http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/euromed/index.htm