Taking action

Create cooperation based on inter-dependence: that was one of the conclusions of the IPEMED report on Europe-Mediterranean-North African relations. Yet to achieving it will involve concrete measures.

What can be done to give new impetus to relations between the two sides of the Mediterranean? This was the question asked by Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament. To end his mandate as president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean¹, Mr Schulz did not only organize the first summit of speakers of UfM parliaments in Marseille, he also asked IPEMED’s political steering committee to undertake a foresight study of Europe-Mediterranean-North African relations. The report’s conclusions were presented in Brussels to the PA-UfM. Members of parliament gave a very positive reception to the proposals, which involve cooperation based on respect and inter-dependence.

In practice, the study reinitiates the UfM with a concrete approach, which will need to be supported by political volition. But parliamentarians’ prime concern is to transform the propositions into action, and make them a reality for the people concerned. The revolutionary turning point that led to the demise of the “old regimes” has passed, as have the elections. It is time to manage the economy and society to avoid high tensions rising once again.

Two-fold approach 

This two-fold approach shows Martin Schulz’s commitment to making the zone a priority for Europe, which is not currently the case, despite the many communications on support for the Arab uprisings. He considers that “the European Union is missing a historic opportunity”. The pretext of crisis in countries in the North is regularly put forward to justify reducing resources, despite considerable needs in all areas.

Mediterranean countries are frequently in the news because they are going through troubled times, but what did we expect? Pessimism is not the solution; these countries can still bounce back, just as an idealized image of revolutionary impetus needs to be tempered by reality. Let us Mediterranean countries work together for a common future and avoid falling into the trap of looking inwards and missing out on societies that have got back into gear. 

1. Starting from April 2013, Jordan has taken on the presidency of the UfM Parliamentary Assembly for one year.