MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

16.2.2005

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by João de Deus Pinheiro, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra and Tokia Saïfi
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

B6‑0144/2005

European Parliament resolution on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership,

- having regard to the Barcelona Declaration of November 1995 and its work programme,

- having regard to the conclusions of the 10 Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers' meetings.

- having regard to the creation of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA),

- having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the Barcelona process, over the last ten years, has provided a framework for a successful partnership between the countries and peoples of the two shores of the Mediterranean,

B.  having regard to the strategic importance of the Mediterranean for the EU, in the light of the need for a Mediterranean policy based on solidarity in order to act on the multiple shared challenges of peace, stability, terrorism and security, mutual understanding, the fight against trafficking in people (including clandestine and illegal immigration), and the objective of creating a shared area of prosperity,

C.  whereas the Barcelona Declaration commits the participating countries to establishing a regular dialogue on political, economic and social subjects and in the field of human affairs,

D.  whereas the EU has defined a new European Neighbourhood Policy aimed at enhancing such partnership, giving a further opportunity to deepen relations, strengthening the political dialogue, integrating partner countries in EU policies and projecting peace, stability and democracy in neighbouring countries,

E.  whereas the first Action Plans with Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian National Authority adopted by the Council commit the Union and partner countries to a closer and all-encompassing dialogue and must keep a coherent and common regional approach,

F.  whereas the Barcelona process set the objective of establishing a multilateral free-trade area by 2010,

G.  stressing that the resumption of dialogue between the parties of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict provides a window of opportunity towards a comprehensive and lasting settlement which is bound to boost the whole Euromed process,

H.  whereas the association agreements provide for a political dialogue based on mutual understanding and respect and aimed at encouraging democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance,

I.  whereas on 19 October 2004 the Commission and Syria formally signalled the end of the negotiations for an EU-Syria Association Agreement, thus concluding the phase of bilateral agreements provided for in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership,

J.  taking note of the Council Common Position of 14 October 2004 lifting the restrictive measures and the arms embargo against Libya, which paves the way for the full involvement of that country in the Barcelona process,

K.  whereas after ten years a global evaluation of the Barcelona process should be made highlighting the achievements and the shortfalls with a view to redefining the way forward,

L.  whereas the transformation of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum into the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) with its three relevant committees strengthens the parliamentary dimension of the Euromed process, thus enhancing its democratic accountability; whereas this body's creation should enhance the overall dialogue between the two regions,

1.  Looks forward to the comprehensive relaunch and review of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership which is to be submitted to the ministers at the next Euro-Mediterranean ministerial meeting in Luxembourg, and asks to be fully associated in the process;

2.  Welcomes the decision of the ministers that 2005 is the Year of the Mediterranean, and calls on the Council and Commission to make a renewed effort to enhance democracy and contribute and promote the necessary political, economic and social reforms in the Mediterranean countries;

3.  Considers that the political dialogue envisaged has not yet led to tangible results throughout the region; considers that the human rights aspect of the Barcelona process has, unfortunately, not been developed sufficiently while the situation in numerous countries shows no sign of improvement; deplores the failure to comply with the human rights clause in the Euro-Mediterranean agreements;

4.  Calls on all the countries of the region to work in closer cooperation in order to face the growing challenge of immigration in a spirit of shared responsibility; calls on the Commission to step up its initiatives in this area in order to enable the affected countries to work together on such issues as the management of immigration flows, including the reinforcement of the fight against human trafficking, readmission agreements, and the reception and social integration of legal immigrants;

5.  Calls on the Commission to design the new 'neighbourhood' financial instrument on a basis of transparency, in cooperation with the partner countries and with the involvement of the EP and the EMPA, so as to make it truly capable of giving an impetus to development and the encouragement of investment;

6.  Is of the opinion that the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) must play a crucial role in the promotion of the EU's founding values in the Barcelona process; urges the Commission to assume its responsibilities and ensure compliance with the human rights clause in the agreements;

7.  Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote women's rights when implementing their financial and technical assistance to the partner countries;

8.  Takes note of the forthcoming signing of the EU-Syria Association Agreement, which commits Damascus to deep and substantial reforms with a view to starting a genuine process of democratising Syria's structures; strongly condemns the terrorist attack which killed the ex-Prime Minister of Lebanon Mr. Hariri and his escort; calls on Syria not to tolerate any kind of terrorism, including supporting the military wing of Hizbullah, as well as to refrain from any interference in Lebanese internal politics; asks for an immediate withdrawal of troops from the country as stated in the UNSC resolutions;

9.  Calls on Libya to ensure the necessary steps and undertakings, including the urgent release from prison of foreign medical workers, that will allow it to be fully included in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, thus contributing to the enhancement of the Barcelona process;

10.  Welcomes the latest positive developments as to the Middle East conflict, which will affect in a decisive manner the full development of the whole Euromed partnership, and calls on all partner countries to make every effort to support the resumption of dialogue and make the Road Map effective;

11.  Calls on the Council and Commission, in their relations with the Mediterranean partners, to make concrete proposals for progress in the security aspect, making use of elements of the European Security Strategy, as well as of the crisis management instruments already created at the Commission;

12.  Expresses its satisfaction at the increasing and considerable improvement in the performance of the MEDA funds;

13.  Stresses the importance of the promotion and extension of the trans-European networks, especially in the fields of energy and transport, for relations and cooperation with the Mediterranean partners;

14.   Supports the proposal of setting up an Mediterranean early warning system on disaster prevention, in the light of the lessons to be learnt from the tsunami that hit South-East Asia;

15.  Believes that the signing of the Agadir agreement between Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan in February 2004 is a good signal to reinforce the axis of South-South cooperation as a complement to that of North-South cooperation;

16.  Looks forward to the inaugural session of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures; is convinced that its action can make a contribution to increasing mutual understanding and making the most of our common heritage;

17.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States and the countries signatory to the Barcelona Declaration, and the President of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.