The Mediterranean region plays a "key strategic role in political and economic terms" for the European Union. This belief, repeated by the Council of the 27 Heads of State last March, inspired the idea of reviving the Barcelona Process (started in 1995), renamed Union for the Mediterranean. Pushed by the EU Council, the EU Commission has now "adopted its proposals to extend relations with the Mediterranean partners". They include a permanent facility (secretariat and permanent committee of euro-Mediterranean delegates" from about forty countries) and a number of "visible, effective plans for improving the living standards and means of subsistence of the region’s populations". The Executive’s plans will be disclosed during the opening summit for the Barcelona Process Union for the Mediterranean, due to take place in Paris on 13th July. Basically, these plans "aim to promote growth, employment, regional cohesion and economic integration in such areas as energy, the environment, civil defence and transportation". (continued)” ” ” “
