The UfM Secretariat held a joint session with
40 Directors and Researchers of Euro-Mediterranean Think Tanks. The event,
organised in collaboration with the IEMed and EuroMesCo, aimed to discuss the
future of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and the role of the UfM.
Barcelona, 3rd October, 2012. The Secretariat
of the UfM brought together representatives from the main Euro-Mediterranean
Think Tanks to participate in the Seminar “The Multilateral Track of the
Euro-Mediterranean Relations: The role of the UfM”. Sessions focused on the
prospects for the multilateral framework of Euro-Mediterranean relations within
the new political context in the Southern shore, and the economic crisis in the
North. They also analysed the sectorial areas of cooperation in the framework of
the UfM mandate.
During the opening speech, UfM Secretary
General Sijilmassi referred to the Euro-Mediterranean Think Tanks as “key
actors in building joint efforts and permanent dialogue in the
Euro-Mediterranean region”. He also added that “the best way for the
Secretariat to face the current political and economic transformations is by
enhancing regional cooperation through the delivery of concrete projects with a
meaningful impact in the region”. The meeting was also attended by Senén
Florensa, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Generalitat de Catalunya and
President of the Executive Committee of the IEMed, who pointed out that this
participative forum and multilateral dialogue “will help to build our common
mission and explore new approaches”.
The experts and representatives from the
different Think Tanks analysed the roles of the public and private sector, and
called for the development of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation initiatives in
important areas such as youth employability, job creation or higher education
and research. They also acknowledged the importance of fostering regional
cooperation through a balanced combination of multilateral dialogue with
tangible short-term actions and achievements. Moreover, they agreed on the fact
that, given the new context in the Euro-Mediterranean region, “if the UfM did
not exist, we would have to invent it now”. Discussions also remarked the need
for the Union for the Mediterranean to increase its visibility and deliver
concrete results.
This seminar is a fundamental step in a series
of consultations that the UfM is developing to enhance dialogue and cooperation
with important Euro-Mediterranean stakeholders.
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Source de l'article Ufmsecretariat
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