SG Sijilmassi holds strategic talks with Jordanian Foreign Minister Judeh ‎and EU High Representative Mogherini on the key role of the UfM in strengthening regional ‎cooperation ‎

• UfM Secretary General Sijilmassi discussed strategic issues with the UfM ‎Co-Presidency, assumed by Jordan and the EU for the South and North ‎respectively.‎• UfM Secretary General Sijilmassi discussed strategic issues with the UfM ‎Co-Presidency, assumed by Jordan and the EU for the South and North ‎respectively.‎

• The discussions covered the UfM Secretariat’s role and the need to foster the ‎Euro-Mediterranean Partnership on the occasion of the European ‎Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) review.‎

The Secretary General of the Union for the ‎Mediterranean, Fathallah Sijilmassi, met in Amman on 29 January 2015 with the Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate ‎Affairs, Nasser Judeh. During the meeting they discussed the mandate and the ‎activities of the UfM Secretariat, as well as ways to ‎develop them in order to reinforce the partnership and cooperation between the ‎Member States within the Euro-Mediterranean framework.

The Jordanian Co-Presidency confirmed its commitment to and involvement in the development of UfM activities. The discussions also covered the European Neighbourhood mechanisms in ‎relation to the Southern countries, as well as the importance of revising and improving them ‎in a way that would reflect on the member States of the Partnership.‎

Within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) review, UfM Secretary General Sijilmassi and High Representative Mogherini met in Strasbourg on 10 February 2015 to discuss the UfM’s role in strengthening regional cooperation and addressing the current needs and opportunities of the region. The bilateral meeting took place in the margins of the European Parliament plenary session.

Secretary General Sijilmassi presented the achievements of the Secretariat and highlighted perspectives of future work. Both parties stressed the need and the importance of strengthening cooperation and regional integration in the Euro-Mediterranean region. They agreed to seize the opportunity of the ENP review to foster the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

The ongoing review process of the European Neighbourhood Policy, along with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Barcelona Process this year, provides an opportunity to further enhance the role of the Union for the Mediterranean as a key institution for inclusive dialogue and as a platform for dealing with the existing challenges and opportunities of the region.