Ray Burke
Ceist:100 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, being taken to implement the conclusions of the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Barcelona. [22848/96]
Written Answers. - Barcelona Declaration.
The follow-up work programme contained in the Barcelona Declaration is detailed and includes provision for periodic discussions at Foreign Minister level, as well as discussions on particular themes at ministerial, senior official and expert level. On the first anniversary of the signature of the Barcelona Declaration much has been achieved in the implementation of both the declaration and the accompanying work programme.
The Euro-Mediterranean Committee for the Barcelona Process which has met on four occasions, most recently on 19 November, has played an important role in taking stock and evaluating the follow-up to the Barcelona process and all its components. In particular, it has updated on a regular basis the list of priority actions covering all three areas of the partnership. The committee is also working on a strategy paper for future co-operation by the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership which it is intended to present to the next meeting of Foreign Ministers.
Positive results have been achieved in the political and security partnership. There have been five meetings of the senior officials responsible for the implementation of the political and-or security component of the partnership, the latest of which took place on 20 November. A draft action plan has been formulated which outlines initiatives in a number of areas, including the enhancement of stability and the reinforcement of democratic institutions, confidence and security building measures, human rights and the fight against organised crime and other transnational security themes. Under the Irish Presidency of the European Union, agreement has been reached on the implementation of a number of concrete confidence and building measures. The positive and constructive contributions made by Mediterranean partners to discussions on these issues has been very welcome. Despite a difficult political context in the region in recent months, notably in relations between Israel and her Arab neighbours, the political dialogue envisaged by the Barcelona Declaration has developed and matured.
On the partnership in social, cultural and human affairs, activities to date in this area have paved the way for the implementation of programmes of common interest to increase contacts between the two sides. An important and successful initiative was the Experts Meeting on Cultural Heritage held in September which has led to the development of a series of joint projects in this area.
As regards the economic and financial partnership, considerable progress has been achieved towards the objective, agreed at Barcelona, of establishing an area of shared prosperity. The meeting of Industry Ministers which took place earlier this year was an important contribution to the process of sustainable and balanced economic development. The positive results of this initiative will be complemented by a Conference on Private Investment, currently in preparation and which will take place in London early next year. The various sectoral thematic activities which have taken place to date have played an important role in establishing a regional dialogue on matters of common interest with a view to the exchange of information, expertise, know-how and technology. They have also facilitated the establishment of networks among officials and among non-governmental organisations.
An essential component of the economic and financial partnership envisaged in the Barcelona Declaration is the creation, by the target date of 2010, of a free trade area for the Mediterranean region. To date, the EU and its Member States have signed Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements with Tunisia, Israel and Morocco and negotiations on similar agreements with Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon are under way. A negotiating mandate for an agreement with Algeria was approved by Council on 10 June. A Co-operation Council with Syria was helden marge of the June General Affairs Council. On 1 October Council approved the text of a draft negotiating mandate for a Euro-Mediterranean Interim Agreement on Trade and Co-operation with the Palestinian Authority.
The adoption on 23 July of the MEDA Regulation — the financial instrument for economic co-operation with the Mediterranean partners — represents a significant step forward in the development of Euro-Mediterranean relations. The way is now clear for the release of funds totalling more than 2.6 billion ECU allocated for financial co-operation with Mediterranean partner countries. The funding of indicative projects under the MEDA programme is an important and tangible expression of the European Union's commitment to the achievement of the shared objectives contained in the Barcelona Declaration.