9th Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers Meeting

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership met on 5-6 November 2007 in Lisbon, under the Presidency of the Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado. The meeting provided an opportunity to assess the progress made during 2007 and to agree on priorities for next year.

In a 21-page document, Ministers reaffirm their commitment to pursue their efforts to realise the objectives set out 12 years ago: to establish a common area of peace and stability, to create an area of shared prosperity and to develop a partnership in social, cultural and human affairs. They welcome the fact that, despite the prevailing tension in the Middle East, the Euro-Med partners have succeeded to maintain a constructive dialogue covering many key issues, and stress the importance of the European Neighbourhood Policy.

In the conclusions of their meeting, the Foreign Ministers refer to issues covered by the Political and Security Partnership, including political and security dialogue and enhancing partnership-building measures. In the context of Sustainable Socio-Economic Development and Reform, they reached conclusions on a range of issues, including progress towards establishing a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area, stimulating economic cooperation and investment, enhancing cooperation in the fields of health, energy and transport, statistical cooperation, environment, climate change and sustainable development, the information society, developing a more systematic approach to cooperation in the field of employment, and human development.

In the framework of Education and Socio Cultural Exchanges, Ministers reached agreement on issues relating to a Euro-Mediterranean area of higher education and scientific research, civil society, the role of women in society, enhancing the Anna Lindh Foundation, media activities and youth.