While there was a diplomatic aura about the meeting, it was also readily apparent that the idea of the Union is far from clearly defined or universally accepted. There was much talk of both historic ties and common interests binding this region, but also cautions - how would it relate to the European Union? The Barcelona process? How to address issues of imbalance of power between richer and poorer nations? How to address the conflict (above all Israel Palestine) that so divides the region? And how to address the fundamental issue of migration and free movement of people as well as goods. There was also fairly specific discussion of a series of "practical projects" - for small and medium enterprise development, depollution of the Mediterranean, sea transport routes above all. Some speakers expressed strong if not scathing views about the Union while others saw both a real need for "bridges" in this region and a solid base of practical needs and good will. There was also an evident divide between the "western" and "eastern" parts of the Mediterranean region, with the West, as it appeared in this setting, more positive than some eastern voices. The two themes that were evoked most often as the "elephants" in the discussion were the Israel Palestine conflict and problems of migration.
The meeting was organized by a large group of partners, under the overall umbrella of CMIESI (Centre Marocain Interdisciplinaire des Etudes Strategiques et Internationales). Among other organizing sponsors was Morocco's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Overseas Moroccans, France 24, the Forum de Paris, Al Akhawayn University, and the Spirit of Fes Foundation (a new organization established by Faouzi Skali). The King of Morocco lent his patronage. The Conference consisted of a series of lengthy plenary sessions, each with a substantial group of speakers, an afternoon of workshops, and lunches and dinners for networking.
The meeting attracted a large group of dignitaries, including, prominently, HE Ahmad Kadhaf al-Dham Kadhafi, cousin or nephew of President Qadaffi, and Alain Juppe, former French Prime Minister and now Mayor of Bordeaux. Kadhafi was present throughout, a highly visible presence with large suite and press retinue. The group included politicians, preponderantly French and Moroccan, business leaders, academics, and substantial media presence.
The workshop where I participated joined discussion of cultural aspects, thus education, exchange, and dialogue, with media and communication. Faouzi Skali, our colleague throughout the development of the Fes Forum, organized and moderated a diverse group, and a dialogue with a quite distinct tone and content.
Background on Mediterranean Union, Union for the Mediterrean
President Sarkozy outlined the idea for a "Mediterranean Union" (MU) in his 2007 presidential campaign, proposing an economic community similar to the early EU that would comprise the European, Middle Eastern, and North African countries of the Mediterranean Rim. The premise was that building economic links through trade agreements could help avoid conflicts in the region. His vision was for "the countries ringing the Mediterranean -- Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco -- to form a council and hold regular summit meetings under a rotating presidency." (International Herald Tribune).
Through deepening trade ties, Sarkozy hoped the MU would be able to tackle issues pertinent to its member states, such as illegal immigration from North Africa and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Other central issues would include security and counter-terrorism, along with energy policy (with France proposing civilian nuclear-energy technology in exchange for access to Algeria's substantial natural gas reserves). Sarkozy also proposed a Mediterranean Investment Bank, modeled on the European Investment Bank, to fund development projects in the region.
According to the IHT, "initial reactions ... ranged from enthusiasm in Spain to cautious approval in Israel to outrage in Turkey, which sees the proposal as a ploy to keep it out of the European Union." Sarkozy's ambitious plans were scaled down after significant opposition from other European leaders. Instead of being an organization completely independent of the EU (which was the MU's only real innovation over existing frameworks such as the Barcelona Process and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership), Germany's Chancellor Merkel insisted that the MU build off of existing EU structures and policies in the region, and include all EU member states, not just those bordering the Mediterranean. Turkey was offered a guarantee that the MU would not serve as an alternative to EU membership (Sarkozy's original goal) before it would agree to participate. Many fear that the organization will simply replicate institutions and frameworks for discussion that already exist, complicating the picture without adding much to it.
Sarkozy plans for the scaled-down and renamed "Union for the Mediterranean" to be established on 13-14 July 2008. (The name change is meant to dissuade fears that the new group will be a rival to the EU.)
