Euro-Med: the Amman Assembly decisionsThe situation in the Middle East, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; boosting cooperation among Mediterranean countries; internal institutions’ organization are some of the issues addressed by the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) held in Amman, Jordan, March 12 to 14. Lengthy debate and some political clashes marked the new initiative of the Assembly, represented by European, Asian and Africa States. In the recommendation MEPs call on Union of Mediterranean countries (UfM) to come up with a time frame for establishing a Palestinian State, “possibly within 2 years”, “comprising Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem”. Israel should freeze all settlement activities, said the Assembly. “”The continuing expansion of settlements is destroying trust between the partners, undermining the authority of the Palestinian negotiators and prejudging the outcome of the final status negotiations”, says the recommendation, although the Israeli delegation publicly expressed its reservations. European Parliament delegations attending the meeting underlined that the region’s conflict resolution must be based on “mutual trust”, on “peace-building” and on the “risks and costs of non-peace”. In a resolution on the value added of UfM, the latter is described as having given “new impetus” to economic development, to the affirmation of democracy and to a number of other issues such as “energy and migration flows”. “EMPA is a political bridge across the Mediterranean, a unique form of co-operation. It needs more than ever to give boost to the peace process and the economies of the region” said EP Parliament president Jerzy Buzek”. The three-day meeting in Amman failed to yield definitive solutions to the funding of Euro-Mediterranean projects, while the Assembly adopted recommendations on freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs, and on the preservation and sustainability of the Common Sea. EMPA decided to welcome, as new members of the Assembly, Croatia and Montenegro, endorsed a proposal to set up its own operational budget and permanent secretariat.EU Commission: post-Copenhagen agenda A Communication proposes that the EU swiftly begin implementing last December’s Copenhagen Accord, in particular ‘fast start’ financial assistance to developing countries. The European Commission set out a strategy "to reinvigorate global action after Conpenhagen". The EU "should continue to press for a robust and legally binding global agreement that involves all countries in real climate action" claimed the College chaired by José Manuel Barroso. "The Commission is determined to keep up the momentum for global action on climate change", Barroso said. The Communication adopted by the Commissioners’ College "sets out a clear strategy on the next steps needed to reinvigorate the international negotiations and engage our partners in this path. I will call on the next European Council" – scheduled for next March 25-26 – "to support this strategy building also on further consultations that I have asked Commissioner Hedegaard to undertake with key international partners". Connie Hedegaard said: "Climate change can be controlled only if all major emitters take action. Obviously nobody would stronger than myself hope that we could get everything done in Mexico, but the signals coming out of various capitals of big emitters unfortunately do not make that likely". In Copenhagen "the world had a unique chance and did not use this to its full", added the Commissioner from Denmark. "We now have to secure the momentum and to do our utmost to get specific and substantial results out of Cancun and to secure no later than in South Africa an agreement on the legal form", she said referring to the post-Kyoto meetings. "he most convincing leadership Europe can show is to take tangible and determined action to become the most climate friendly region in the world, which will also strengthen our energy security, stimulate greener economic growth and create new jobs". The Communication proposes a roadmap for the UN negotiating process which will restart in April. But the Commission recognises that differences between countries may delay an agreement until 2011.
