Spain and UfM discuss ways to strengthen regional cooperation in the Mediterranean

The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Fathallah Sijilmassi, welcomed today the visit of the Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Gonzalo de Benito, at the premises of the Union for the Mediterranean, in Barcelona.

During the meeting both parties exchanged views in light of the current transformations in the Mediterranean region and discussed the major challenges that the UfM is confronting. They also analysed the agenda of projects and activities of the Union for the Mediterranean for the upcoming year 2013. They agreed on the importance of concrete projects and initiatives, namely the Mediterranean Solar Plan; the Euro-Mediterranean University (Euromed-UM) in Fez; the Mediterranean Initiative for Jobs (Med4jobs); the Trans Maghreb Motorway; and the desalination facility for the Gaza Strip.

The Secretary of State reiterated the commitment of Spain to the Union for the Mediterranean: “We are actively working to strengthen ties between the UfM and the Spanish government, especially in priority areas that foster socio-economic development and youth employability in the Mediterranean region”,highlighted Gonzalo de Benito. Secretary General Sijilmassi said that: “the role of the UfM is crucial for the development of regional integration through the implementation of specific programs”. Both parties emphasized the importance of the activities planned for 2013, among which are three ministerial meetings and a business meeting in Barcelona in the framework of the 5 +5.

The Secretary General of the UfM extended his gratitude to the Secretary of State Gonzalo de Benito for the continued support that the organization receives from Spain.