The Union for the Mediterranean is born in Paris

Last modification: 15/07/08

Leaders from the 27 EU nations, North Africa and the Middle East met in Paris on July 13, bringing the Union for the Mediterranean to life, as well as breathing new life into the Middle East peace process.

On July the 13th in Paris, the new Union for the Mediterranean (UPM) was born, following agreement between more than 40 heads of state. The new regional organisation brings with it renewed hope for political and economic cooperation around the Mediterranean coast.

Proposed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy during his presidential campaign in February 2007, the “Union for the Mediterranean” will take precedence over the “Barcelona Process," a Euro-Mediterranean dialogue launched in 1995. The results got mixed reaction from economic and political observers.

Sarkozy’s initial project included only countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, but was amended after Germany and Brussels stressed the need to include all the EU members.

Cleaning up the sea, solar energy, access to drinking water and expansion of maritime exchanges were top of the agenda.

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