The Arab League and the UfM, determined to strengthen regional cooperation

The general secretaries of the Union for the Mediterranean Ambassador Youssef Amrani and the Arab League, Nabil Al-Arabi met on Monday in Cairo, exchanging means to strengthen their regional cooperation.

In a statement after the meeting, Mr. Amrani said: « We have discussed ways to give new impulse to the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the light of recent political developments in Southern part of the Mediterranean.” He also added: “the meeting focused on prospects for the new European Neighbourhood Policy and the impact of UfM projects on promoting growth and development in the Mediterranean basin.  We had the opportunity to discuss various political issues that challenge the region and the need to work collectively for the establishment of a zone of peace and stability in the Mediterranean.

Previously, the Secretary General of the UfM with Egyptian officials and praised the important role of Egypt in the Mediterranean region and in co-presiding the UfM in its initial stage. The Egyptian officials thanked the Secretary General and assured him of their full support in achieving his mandate. Mr. Amrani expressed solidarity with Egypt in the transitional period it is passing through. He also mentioned that the maturity shown by the Egyptian people had set an example for democratic reform through peaceful means and raised great expectations for a better future in the region. He reiterated that the UfM is available to provide its support to meet the needs of Egypt in terms of projects and regional actions which could contribute to creating jobs and attracting new investments.

Ambassador Amrani also called the international community in general and the European Union in particular to seize the opportunity offered by the Arab Spring. He called on providing the Egyptian government with the necessary financial assistance in order to lead the long and complicated reform process into a successful completion.

This is the second visit of the Secretary General Youssef Amrani to an Arab state after Tunisia, since he assumed his position on July 1st.