The Parliamentary Assembly of the UfM and the UfM Secretariat to establish an operational collaboration

Barcelona – The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Fathallah Sijilmassi, welcomed the President of the European Parliament, Mr Martin Schulz, at the premises of the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean.

During his first visit to the Secretariat of Union for the Mediterranean, Mr Martin Schulz, who assumed his position as President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the UfM (AP-UFM), during March 2012 for a period of one year, reiterated his support to the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean and underlined the operational role in implementing concrete projects, with tangible impact for the populations of the Mediterranean.

President Schulz and Secretary General Sijilmassi agreed on initiating an operational collaboration through the various divisions of the Secretariat and the concerned parliamentarian committees of the AP-UfM, with the aim of promoting projects that cater, above all, for job creation and socio-economic development in the Mediterranean region.

The President of the European Parliament commended the commitment of the Secretary General and Deputies Secretary-General, stating that “The Secretariat is the cornerstone of a necessary and ambitious partnership for the Mediterranean region. This partnership must succeed to ensure, means of solidarity and mutual respect, welfare and prosperity for our citizens”.

Secretary General Sijilmassi stressed on the importance of the Parliamentary Assembly in the architecture of the UfM as a space for dialogue and promotion of Euro-Mediterranean relations. “The Parliamentary Assembly of the UfM is an essential medium in the public opinion of the 43 countries of the UfM, to gather and engage policy makers to conduct effective regional projects at a time when the Mediterranean region is undergoing major political and socio-economic changes.”

A cornerstone of co-ownership and shared responsibility, the UfM is the sole regional structure bringing together 43 representatives from Euro-Mediterranean countries.