Mediterranean forum to meet in Morocco next May

The Mediterranean forum, an instance of dialog and reflection on Euro-Med partnership chaired by Morocco, will hold its 8th session next May 10-11 in the Moroccan northern town of Tetouan.

The announcement was made Friday in Lisbon by Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, during the 5 plus 5 group meeting.

The Tetouan meeting will be attended by foreign ministers of some 12 north and south Mediterranean countries.

"The validity and utility of the Forum, as a specific body for reflection, debate and brainstorming, is likely to favor a genuine, concrete and global partnership between the two banks of the Mediterranean," Benaissa said.

During its term as chairman of the Forum, Morocco endeavors to give the body "its raison d'Ítre as compared to other instances" and an "identity, a visibility and a credibility," Benaissa said, adding that Morocco's mission will not be restricted to the assessment of Euro-Mediterranean partnership, but will also include the promotion of an attractive image so that the Forum be influential at the world scale.

The Tetouan session will give a concrete content to the forum through awarding a Mediterranean Prize, the setting of a global economic frame and the holding of a Mediterranean year.

Several political topics will be debated during the session, including terrorism, international criminality, conflict prevention in the Balkans and in the Mediterranean area as well as environment and cultural exchanges issues.

The Mediterranean Forum came into being thanks to a French-Egyptian initiative in 1994. Its first meeting was held the same year in Alexandria, and the latest one was held last March in Madera, Portugal.