Statements

  • Statement by Youssef Amrani the Secretary General of the UfM on “The EU response to the developments in the Southern neighborhood” in the conclusions of the European Council of the 1st December 2011

    02.12.2011

    I welcome the conclusions of the European Council of yesterday, which reaffirms the strategic importance of the EU neighborhood, and reiterates its commitment towards a new partnership with the EU’s Southern neighbors. The last two meetings of the European council (11 March and 20 June), as well as the two Communications of European commission (18 March and 25 May) are important steps towards a new and revised contract between the EU and its neighbors. In this regard, I would like to emphasize that this new relation is also based on more support to partners (“More for More”) who make greater commitments, and greater progress towards democratic reform: closer political association, assistance to economic and social reforms, progressive economic integration with the EU internal market, improved mobility of people, and financial support. In this concern, I welcome the promotion of EU SPRING package of €350 million which has been adopted in September 2011, which provides; additional funding for Southern neighbors to strengthen democratic institutions, to promote deep and sustainable democracy, and to improve inclusive growth and job creation. As a regional institution, the UfM stresses on the importance of building a new relation between the EU and its neighbors, based on fundamental principles of joint ownership and mutual accountability. As underlined by the European council, it is important to continue to support the operational activity of the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, particularly by looking for effective ways, and instruments to provide a greater regional cooperation, implementing concrete regional projects in order to meet the needs of the citizens of the region. I believe that this exceptional time needs exceptional response. With the commitment of all the institutions and the members of the Union of the Mediterranean, we will be able to achieve the objective of the Euro- Mediterranean partnership, in terms of peace, stability and shared prosperity.
    Statement of the Secretary General Mr. Youssef Amrani

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  • Statement by the SG of the UFM, Mr. Youssef Amrani, on the conclusions related to the external dimension of EU energy policy adopted by the EU Ministers of Energy on 24 November

    25.11.2011

    The Secretary General of the UfM, Mr. Youssef AMRANI, welcomes the conclusions adopted by the EU Council of Energy Ministers on 24 November on strengthening the external dimension of the EU energy policy and expresses his full support to them. In this framework, the EU is “proposing to Mediterranean countries a partnership, initially focused on electricity and renewable energy, under the Union for the Mediterranean and building on the Mediterranean Solar Plan.” These conclusions underline the importance of the Mediterranean region for external EU energy policy and market integration in areas such as energy security, investment stability, sustainable development, climate change and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency. They emphasize the key role of the Union for the Mediterranean, which would be the framework to build this partnership, and the direct link which exists between this process and the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP) currently being developed by the UfM. The MSP is a flagship UfM initiative aiming at boosting a large scale and market driven development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Mediterranean region. It includes the build-up of 20 GW of new renewable energy capacities by 2020.

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  • Statement of the Secretary General on the First Ministerial Meeting on Urban Development

    17.11.2011

    The following statment has been made by the Secretary General Mr. Youssef Amrani. Statement of the Secretary General Mr. Youssef Amrani

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  • Declaration of the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean during the G8 Deauville Ministerial Meeting in New York

    22.09.2011

    The Deauville Partnership is a timely, useful, politically and economically relevant initiative. 4 out of the 5 Partnership countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean, and we hope that Libya will soon establish channels of collaboration with us and become again part of the Mediterranean regional framework where 43 countries, European institutions and the Arab League work together in common projects. I would like to convey three main messages: First, the success of the current process of change in the region will depend on two elements: the completion of a balanced and inclusive political transition and the development of economic opportunities, mainly for the young generations that are at the origin in these political changes. Young people in the Mediterranean strive to have a say and strive to have a job, they aspire to be citizens and they aspire to build a future for their countries, for their communities and their families. Second, although what it happens in each country is what really matters, the regional dynamics are also important. Regional economic integration, regional cooperation, regional interconnections and infrastructures, will be critical for the economic prospects in the Mediterranean. We need to develop and support a collective system of dialogue and governance in the region and we need to support the Agadir Agreement between four countries present here today. The Agadir Agreement is a successful experience of regional economic integration that has increased trade between the countries and has contributed to develop an added value industry. Third, I believe that the changes taking place in the region are an opportunity for the Union for the Mediterranean, as the Union for the Mediterranean represents an opportunity for the region. Last week, the 43 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean approved a set of projects on higher education and on women empowerment, and last July, a major infrastructure project was also approved: the construction of a 300 million euros desalination plan in the Gaza strip. These projects are the first concrete results of a partnership based on projects. The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, that I represent, is the instrument, your instrument, to develop joint projects for the creation of jobs and for the construction of regional infrastructures. Download SG declaration in English (PDF) Télécharger SG déclaration en français (PDF) Download Deauville Partnership Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting Communiqué (PDF) Télécharger Partenariat de Deauville - Communiqué de la réunion des Ministres des Affaires étrangères (PDF) Download Deauville Partnership Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting Communiqué (ARABIC PDF) Download Deauville Partnership - Statement for Enhanced Cooperation by IO (PDF)

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  • Statement by the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean on the occasion of the High Level meeting on Libya in New York

    21.09.2011

    The Secretary General Youssef Amrani participated at the High Level meeting on Libya under the chairmanship of Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki Moon. Mr. Amrani expressed the satisfaction of the Union for the Mediterranean that the UN is assuming a key role in the coordination of international efforts to support Libya. The coordination with other partners and with international organisations is essential to facilitate a smooth transition towards democracy in the country. The priority now for Libya is the end of the conflict, the national reconciliation and the reconstruction of the country in all its dimensions, including the building of new inclusive and democratic institutions. Another priority is the full participation and re-integration of Libya in the international community as a Mediterranean country. This is a priority for Libya, for its neighbours and for the international organisations like the Union for the Mediterranean and its partners. Libya is a major regional player in the Mediterranean. It is the bridge between the Maghreb and the Middle East and it is the link for the full integration of North Africa into the Euro-Mediterranean space. Re-integrating Libya in the region and becoming a participant in fields such as the Mediterranean solar energy plan, transnational transport interconnections; giving Libyan youth the possibility to participate in higher education exchange programmes and in other cooperation schemes is the objective of all those who wish to see Libya again in the context of the Mediterranean as a partner of Europe as of other Mediterranean countries. Secretary General Amrani underlined that after the Paris Summit, and after today’s meeting here in New York, we are starting a new era. The Union for the Mediterranean stands ready to work with the Libyan authorities to open channels of collaboration, and to enhance the regional dimension of the Libyan economic potential. Download press release in English (PDF) Télécharger presse communiqué en français (PDF) Descargar nota de prensa en español (PDF)

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  • Statement by M. Youssef Amrani, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, on the political developments in Libya

    13.09.2011

    M. Youssef Amrani, Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, has firmly declared that a new democratic and sovereign Libya shall take the position it deserves in the Mediterranean area. M. Youssef Amrani considers that in this political context, crucial for the future of Libya, it is essential that the international and the Euro-Mediterranean communities mobilize, to execute concrete actions, which answer the needs of the Libyan population. The Union for the Mediterranean is ready to provide Libya with all the necessary support to accompany the reconstruction process, in a moment where the country has to build its own democratic model. The Union for the Mediterranean is working closely with the Mediterranean countries, to reach the fundamental objective of the Barcelona Process, which is to establish a peaceful, stable and prosperous framework for the Mediterranean area. Download English & French version (PDF)

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