Euro-Mediterranean conference reaches consensus on fight against terrorism

The Euro-Mediterranean conference which wound up in Brussels on Tuesday its two-day session in the presence of foreign ministers from 27 countries was dominated by worldwide effects of last September 11 attacks against the USA and the dangerous situation in the Middle East.

In the absence of decisive decisions to promote partnership between north and south Mediterranean countries and of a consensus regarding the Middle East issue, the Brussels ministerial conference merely adopted a general text called "conclusions of the presidency."

Participants called Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations to establish an independent and viable Palestinian state and decided to dispatch starting next November 15 a European Union mission to bring the two sides' views closer.

On terrorism, the foreign ministers renewed their utter condemnation of last September 11 attacks and of terrorism worldwide while stressing the need to tackle the deep roots of the phenomenon.

Recalling that international stability depends on the integration of all countries in a fair world system, the Euro-Mediterranean ministers referred to conclusions of the Mediterranean forum held in Agadir last October 25-26.

Regarding economic and financial aspects of Euro-Mediterranean partnership, the conference said countries need to make an evaluation of potential economic effects of the attacks against Washington and New York and hailed ongoing negotiations for the conclusion of association agreements between the EU and third Mediterranean countries and underscored the need to foster south-south cooperation.

They cited, in this regard, the Agadir declaration of May 2001 which set up a free-trade area between Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan, as very positive element to which the Union brings its political and technical support.