European commission launches 5-year work program to reinforce Euro-Mediterranean partnership

The European Commission unveiled Tuesday a wide-range work program to reinforce the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, The Barcelona Process, over the next five years, where the Commission outlined proposals for concrete progress in three areas which are education, sustainable economic growth, and human rights and democracy.

In a statement, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero Waldner, said "the program proposed has all the ingredients to reinvigorate the Euro-Med partnership as it enters its second decade." The work plan states for promoting a substantial increase in the EU support for education and vocational training with the objective of increasing by at least 50% the proportion of financial assistance devoted to education in addition to commitment from partners to a new target of 2015 for the eradication of illiteracy in the region.

It also calls for launching a scheme offering scholarships for university study in Europe with a percentage of places reserved for women.

Regarding the economic situation, the work plan set the target of creating a free-trade agreement by 2010 and deepening economic integration between the EU and Mediterranean countries through liberalization of trade in agriculture and service.

As for political reforms, the commission said its work plan suggests creating a new democracy facility to support those partners who show a clear commitment to political reform which is the key to achieving sustainable security and stability.