UfM welcomes EU pledge to new partnership with southern neighbours

The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has welcomed last week’s statement by EU foreign ministers underlining their commitment towards a new partnership with the EU’s Southern neighbours.

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Buzek on the elections in Tunisia

Commenting on the elections in Tunisia, European Parliament President made the following statement:

“Yesterday’s elections of the constitutional assembly of Tunisia are a tremendous success. This vote is a sign of hope for Tunisia and for the whole region. The Tunisian people started the Arab Spring and are now reaping in the harvest.

“I congratulate the Tunisian people who voted in the first free election to take place in the country. It is a historic moment for the country and for the Arab world. These truly are the first elections arising from the Arab Spring. I wish all Tunisians fully enjoy the fruits of their revolution: human dignity, democracy and the rule of law.

I am very glad that these first democratic elections in Tunisia occurred without any violence or hatred. It is an important step towards democracy, which started nine months ago after the overthrown of Zine el Abidine Ben Ali by mass-demonstrations.

More than 90% of the registered citizens voted peacefully, showing a great sense of civil responsibility. I wish great success for the newly elected constituent assembly and for the coming government.

The European Parliament was present during these elections with a large observation mission on the ground. I am very much looking forward to receiving their report in the coming days. Next Saturday, I will go myself for the second time to Tunisia.”

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Note to Editors: European Parliament Delegation to observe first Arab Spring elections in Tunisia – 18 October 2011 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/en/pressroom/content/20111017IPR29436/html/European-Parliament-Delegation-to-observe-first-Arab-Spring-

Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/president/en/press/press_release/2011/2011-October/press_release-2011-October-30.html;jsessionid=FBE7D3993977BEEB8AB4D23E0133DB32

Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on the elections in Tunisia

 

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement:

 

“Yesterday’s historic elections for the Constituent Assembly mark the beginning of a new era in Tunisia. In a climate of freedom, millions of citizens stood in line to cast their votes and decide their future in a peaceful and orderly manner.

 

The Tunisian revolution paved the way to the “Arab spring” nine months ago and yesterday Tunisian citizens had the opportunity, for the first time, to choose freely their democratic representatives. The EU Election Observation Mission will make its assessment soon but today I want to congratulate and pay tribute to the Tunisian people and their peaceful struggle for their rights and democratic aspirations”.

Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/125531.pdf

 

 

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Túnez: Una delegación del Parlamento Europeo observará las primeras elecciones nacidas de la primavera árabe

Una delegación del Parlamento Europeo viajará a Túnez del 19 al 25 de octubre para observar las elecciones de la Asamblea Constituyente, formando parte de la Misión de Observación Electoral de la UE. En ella participarán los eurodiputados españoles Santi Fisas y Carmen Romero, asistiendo a las primeras elecciones democráticas desde el inicio de la primavera árabe.

 

“Invitados por las autoridades tunecinas, me siento orgulloso y contento de liderar la delegación del Parlamento Europeo para observar estas elecciones históricas en Túnez, el país donde la Primavera Árabe comenzó y el primero en celebrar elecciones democráticas. El pueblo tunecino irá a las urnas el 23 de octubre para elegir la Asamblea Constituyente que redactará la nueva constitución del país. Quince diputados del Parlamento Europeo estaremos presentes como parte de la misión de observación electoral a largo plazo de la UE, que lidera mi colega y también eurodiputado Michael Gahler. Nos desplegaremos por todo el país, aportando nuestra experiencia en tanto que parlamentarios electos, para observar la manera en que se desarrolla el proceso electoral. Esperamos que estas elecciones establezcan un importante precedente para la región “, declaró el italiano Gabriele Albertini (PPE), jefe de la delegación del Parlamento Europeo.
En el periodo previo a las elecciones, los miembros de la delegación se reunirán con los candidatos, dirigentes y representantes de las autoridades y de la sociedad civil tunecina, entre ellos los bloggers y los usuarios de Facebook que jugaron un papel clave en el levantamiento que condujo a la caída del antiguo régimen. El día de las elecciones, los eurodiputados estarán presentes en diferentes mesas electorales. De los quince miembros que componen la delegación, nueve tendrán su sede en Túnez y sus alrededores, mientras que otros seis viajarán entre el 22 y el 24 de octubre a las zonas electorales de Sidi Bou Zid, Gafsa y Sfax.

El jefe de la misión de observación electoral de la UE en Túnez-compuesta por 130 miembros-, Michael Gahler (Alemania, PPE), y Gabriele Albertini, jefe de la delegación del Parlamento Europeo, presentarán sus conclusiones preliminares sobre las elecciones en una rueda de prensa conjunta el 25 de octubre a las 11h00 en el Hotel Sheraton en Túnez.
En la delegación participan los eurodiputados Santiago Fisas (PPE) y Carmen Romero (S & D).
La delegación en Túnez, según Santi Fisas y Carmen Romero

“Éstas son unas elecciones fundamentales y que deben servir de ejemplo al resto de países árabes, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que Túnez es el más desarrollado de todos ellos y el que cuenta con la sociedad civil más consolidada”, sostuvo Santiago Fisas antes de partir.

 
“Esta delegación parlamentaria forma parte de la misión de observación de la UE, más amplia y compuesta por 130 miembros, muchos de ellos expertos que llevan desde septiembre haciendo el seguimiento del proceso electoral. La misión responde a una petición del Gobierno interino de Túnez. Su importancia reside en que se producen en el primer país donde comenzó la Primavera Árabe. El buen desarrollo de este proceso será un modelo para los países mediterráneos que están pendientes de procesos electorales. El Parlamento Europeo tiene especial interés en que el proceso se produzca sin incidentes y en aportar toda su experiencia en este evento que marcará el futuro de Túnez “, apuntó la eurodiputada Carmen Romero.
¿Qué es una Misión de Observación Electoral?

El Parlamento Europeo despliega cada año delegaciones de observación electoral a una docena de países alrededor del mundo, ya sea como parte de las misiones de observación electoral de la UE (MOEs) o como parte de las misiones de observación electoral de los países de la Organización para la Seguridad y la Cooperación en Europa (OSCE). Los eurodiputados han apoyado recientemente la ‘Declaración de principios para la observación electoral internacional’ y el ‘Código de conducta para observadores internacionales de elecciones’.

 

La Eurocámara tiene una larga tradición en tareas de observación electoral desde 1984, cuando la primera delegación parlamentaria observó las elecciones presidenciales de Guatemala. Desde entonces, ha asistido a más de cien elecciones en diferentes países alrededor del mundo. La observación electoral como herramienta de apoyo a la democracia es un instrumento clave de la política exterior de la Unión Europea. Su éxito se debe a la credibilidad que estas misiones han logrado adquirir a lo largo del tiempo.

 

Composición de la delegación del Parlamento Europeo para la observación electoral de las elecciones en Túnez, del 19 al 25 de Octubre de 2011

• Jefe de la delegación, Sr. Gabriele Albertini (PPE, Italia)
• Sra Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU (PPE, Grecia)
• Sr Cristian Dan PREDA (PPE, Rumania)
• Sr Tokia SAÏFI (PPE, Francia)
• Sr Santiago FISAS (PPE, España)
• Sr Lambert van Nistelrooij, PPE, Países Bajos
• Sr Rosario CROCETTA, S&D, Italia
• Sr Robbert GOEBBELS, S&D, Luxemburgo
• Sr Pier Antonio PANZERI, S&D, Italia
• Sra Carmen ROMERO LOPEZ, S&D, España
• Sra Fiona HALL (ALDE, Reino Unido)
• Sr Derk Jan EPPINK (ECR, Bélgica)
• Sra Hélène FLAUTRE (Verdes/ALE, Francia)
• Sra Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, Francia)
• Sr Hans-Peter MARTIN (NI, Austria)

 Source:  maria.andres@europarl.europa.eu :  www.europarl.es

THE EU MUST RESHAPE ITS POLICIES TO SUPPORT ARAB TRANSITIONS

At a conference held by the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, representatives of the Arab spring criticised the EU’s decades of support and co-operation with repressive regimes and they encouraged Europeans to build a north-south ’equal partnership’.

 

The two-day meeting was organised by the Global Progressive Forum (GPF) as part of the long-term programme “Listening to the Progressive Mediterranean” and it intends to build a long-term network with progressive groups on both shores of the Mediterranean.

 

S&D vice-president Véronique de Keyser said: “We were surprised by the Arab burst of freedom. We in Europe felt powerless to push for democracy and you made it real. It was extraordinary.

 

“These changes achieved by Arab people made us reconsider our policies and admit our shortcomings.

 

“We now have to find a way to better support the democratic transitions - including with effective and flexible use of EU funding. Part of these efforts should go to help political parties get organized.”

 

Leader of the European Socialist Party and co-chair of the GPF Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said to the participants: “It is a privilege to welcome all those who have been pushing for democracy across the region. We can listen and learn from you and your bravery. The EU in the past made mistakes in the alliances it made. It is time for a new progressive direction.

“Democracy is about principles. You have shown that you have lived by yours. But democracy is also about quality jobs, security in healthcare and education. That is what you must strive for”.

Representatives from Algeria, Bahrein, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen, along with the Arab diaspora in Europe, debated with S&D Euro MPs, including Hannes Swoboda, Maria Badia, Edit Herczog, Pervenche Bères, Proinsias de Rossa and Saïd El Khadraoui.

 

Source: www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu

 

 

Youssef Amrani expose la nouvelle vision de l’Union pour la Méditerranée

Le Secrétaire général de l’Union pour la Méditerranée (UpM), Youssef Amrani, a présenté la nouvelle vision de l’Union, lors de rencontres, lundi à Rabat, avec le chef du gouvernement, Abbas El Fassi et le ministre des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération, Taïb Fassi Fihri.
Cette nouvelle vision, selon M. Amrani, est bâtie sur une approche globale, multidimensionnelle des relations méditerranéennes orientée vers la promotion de la croissance, le soutien à l’emploi et au développement régional.
Cette approche, a-t-il expliqué, est également basée sur une plus grande participation des représentants de la société civile et des jeunes porteurs de projets dans le partenariat méditerranéen. M. Amrani a, par ailleurs, mis l’accent sur l’importance de doter l’UpM d’instruments efficaces et de mécanismes cohérents qui soient en phase avec le récent contexte régional dans les pays du sud méditerranéens.
Le secrétaire général de l’UpM a saisi cette occasion pour évoquer les projets récemment adoptés par les 43 pays membres de l‘UpM, notamment, le projet de construction d’une usine de désalinisation à Gaza qui bénéficiera à plus de 1,6 million de personnes, ainsi que des projets concernant l‘éducation et la recherche et l’intégration des femmes dans le monde entrepreneurial. L’UpM est également engagée auprès des pays méditerranéens pour soutenir la transition et la relance économique. Dans ce sens, une Conférence pour le soutien au développement et à l’investissement sera organisée à Tunis. Des projets relatifs à la création d’entreprises, à l’énergie, au transport et au développement urbain sont également inscrits parmi les priorités de l’UpM.
Le chef du gouvernement et le ministre des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération ont exprimé leur plein soutien au travail réalisé par l’UpM et ont souligné le rôle important que peut jouer l’Union pour la Méditerranée pour s‘inscrire dans la dynamique régionale en cours et adapter son action au nouveau contexte politique et géostratégique.
Cette rencontre, qui s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une tournée dans les pays membres de l’UpM, a été l’ occasion d’évoquer les derniers évènements qui ont eu lieu dans le monde arabe et les nouvelles perspectives qui en découlent pour le partenariat euro-méditerranéen. Fondée à Paris, en 2008, l’Union pour la Méditerranée est une institution intergouvernementale qui regroupe 43 pays du Nord et du Sud de la Méditerranée dont le Secrétariat est basé à Barcelone et a pour objectif de promouvoir la paix, la prospérité et la stabilité en Méditerranée aux moyens de projets concrets au profit des citoyens.

 

Source: http://www.libe.ma/Youssef-Amrani-expose-la-nouvelle-vision-de-l-Union-pour-la-Mediterranee_a22164.html

 

Füle: EU to draw lessons on role of Civil Society in Transition and Transformation from its Enlargement Policy

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle reiterated the willingness of the EU to strengthen civil society in the Southern Mediterranean using its experiences and lessons learnt from its enlargement policy.

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Développement durable: Rencontre ministérielle de l’UPM

Mme Benkhedra appelle à l’unification des efforts pour relever les défis.
	Quarante trois pays membres de l’Union pour la Méditerranée ont répondu présent à la réunion préparatoire à la première réunion ministérielle de l’Union pour la Méditerranée sur le développement urbain durable qui s’est tenue à Rabat les 12 et 13 septembre.   Cette rencontre intervient dans un contexte marqué par la dynamique renouvelée de renforcement du partenariat euro-méditerranéen, notamment dans le cadre de l’Union pour la Méditerranée. Elle fait suite à plusieurs rencontres tenues par l’Union pour débattre des principales questions de développement de la région méditerranéenne et des moyens de renforcement de la coopération euro-méditerranéenne dans ce domaine. En effet, la problématique du développement urbain durable constitue un véritable enjeu du développement pour la région méditerranéenne qui intégrera durant les deux prochaines décennies quelque 80 millions d’urbains supplémentaires, principalement dans les villes du littoral, qui connaîtront dès lors des mutations sociales, économiques et environnementales profondes. D’après la ministre de l’Énergie, des Mines, de l’Eau et de l’Environnement, Amina Benkhadra, cette urbanisation accélérée, principalement dans les pays méditerranéens du Sud et de l’Est, provoquera la détérioration d’une situation déjà préoccupante aux niveaux de la consommation des terres, de la pollution des eaux souterraines, de l’accès à une eau potable de qualité et à des services d’assainissement, de la gestion des déchets et aura des impacts négatifs sur l’environnement et la santé humaine.

First meeting of EU/Tunisia Task Force to support transition to democracy and economic recovery

 

Brussels, 27 September 2011 – The first meeting of the EU/Tunisia Task Force will take place in Tunis tomorrow. The Task Force will ensure better coordination of European and international support for Tunisia’s transition. It will be co-chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, and Tunisian Prime Minister Béji Ca ĭd Essebsi. Stefan Füle, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and the European Neighbourhood Policy, and Bernardino Léon, the EU Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean Region, will also participate in the event.

 

The EU-Tunisia Task Force is the first task force in the Southern Mediterranean since the Arab Spring began. In Tunis, HR/VP Ashton and Commissioner Füle will reiterate the full support of both the European Union and the international Community to Tunisia’s transition towards an open and democratic society, less than a month before the elections scheduled for 23 October. The Task Force will follow up the implementation of its decisions and will meet again in 2012 to continue work on medium and long term projects.

 

It will put a strong focus on support to the economic recovery in Tunisia. Concrete actions will aim in particular to assist the recovery of frozen assets, and to boost Foreign Direct Investment and job creation. A number of EU grants, which are part of a 1 billion € multi-donor programme, will besigned during or in the margins of the event.

Market access, mobility of persons, education and research and support to civil society will also be high on the agenda – including in a session with civil society representatives – and the EU will offer enhanced cooperation and new partnerships in these areas.

Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/124766.pdf

EU response to the Arab Spring: new package of support for North Africa and Middle East

Brussels, 27 September 2011 – The European Commission has adopted four new decisions for its Neighbourhood. The programmes will include support for areas like democracy, growth, job creation, microfinance and higher education.

“The European Union was the first to offer a serious response to the Arab Spring. This new set of decisions is the result of the new and ambitious European Neighbourhood Policy launched in May and it confirms that the EU has made it one of its main priorities to support ‘deep’ and sustainable democracy, but also economic recovery, in North Africa and the Middle East,” said Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.

Štefan Füle Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy added: “These decisions prove our strong commitment to our neighbouring partners. Through job creation, improved living conditions, university partnerships and promoting a stronger voice for civil society, this support demonstrates Europe’s full engagement in ensuring the desired transition to democracy in the region.”

Today, the SPRING programme (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) was adopted. Under this flagship initiative, the Commission will provide support for the Southern Neighbourhood countries for democratic transformation, institution building and economic growth in the wake of the Arab Spring. Support provided through SPRING will be tailored to the needs of each country. The total value of this initiative is €350 million to cover the years 2011 and 2012.

The second decision concerns a Special Measure designed to support poorer areas in Tunisia in the aftermath of the events of the Arab Spring. €20 million has also been allocated in order to foster employment and job creation in the country and to improve living conditions for inhabitants of urban areas in the most impoverished regions, as well as to improve access to microfinance.

The third of these decisions, adopted on 23 September 2011, is the Erasmus Mundus programme. This will go towards achieving better understanding and mutual enrichment between the EU and neighbouring countries by creating possibilities for student and academic staff mobility (for example, the opportunity to study in universities in EU Member States) and exchange of knowledge and skills. The overall budget for this programme is €66 million.

The fourth decision, adopted on 20 September 2011, is the Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility, designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society to promote reform and increase public accountability in their countries. With a total budget of €22 million, the programme will also support regional and country projects led by non-state actors. Similar amounts are envisaged for 2012 and 2013.

The four decisions come in response to actions outlined in the Commission’s recent Communication entitled “A new response to a changing Neighbourhood”.

More information: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1083&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en