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Mediterranean forum meets in Funchal
Regional, Politics, 3/31/2000
Foreign ministers and officials of 11 Mediterranean countries took part Thursday and Friday in the Mediterranean forum meeting held in the Portuguese resort island of Madeira to discuss regional cooperation in the political, economic and cultural realms.
The two-day gathering unanimously elected Morocco chairman of the forum for one year.
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa, who represented Morocco at the forum, deplored the mistrust existing between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean regarding security and defense issues and the lack of consultation on vital issues.
He called the nations of the southern shore to coordinate stands and foster solidarity.
The Funchal gathering is the seventh meeting of the Mediterranean forum, which groups Algeria, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, and Turkey.
The group, set up in 1994 at the initiative of Egypt and France, seeks to promote cooperation and stability in the Mediterranean basin and resolve problems stemming from economic disparities between nations on the northern and southern shores.
According to press reports, debates at the forum focus on building a free trade zone between northern and southern Mediterranean countries by 2010, as well as strengthening political cooperation through a proposed Charter for Peace and Stability.
The charter is expected to create mechanisms to resolve conflicts, promote trade and boost cooperation in fighting drugs, terrorism, arms trafficking and organized crime.
The forum was opened by Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama.
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