Euromediterranean cooperation

The history of effective cooperation between the European Union and Mediterranean countries is fairly recent but since 1995 it has developed in this direction.

In 1995 the Barcelona Process launched the Euromediterranean Partnership between the EU and the Southern Mediterranean countries which aimed at creating political, economic and social cooperation.

Between 1998 and 2005, the EU has signed seven Euromediterranean Association agreements with the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Israel, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Lebanon, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Republic of Tunisia and the Republic of Algeria. These agreements provide a suitable framework for political dialogue between the North and the South; they act as the basis for the gradual liberalisation of trade in the Mediterranean area and set out the conditions for cooperation in the economic, social and cultural sphere between the EU and the partner countries.

The new project of the Union for the Mediterranean should contribute towards peace and prosperity in the region. It will constitute a step towards economic and regional integration as well as environmental cooperation between the Mediterranean countries, provided that it delivers concrete and visible results.