The UfM participates in the Croatia Summit

Dubrovnik, 7^th July, 2012. The Secretary General of the UfM attended the Croatia Summit, held in Dubrovnik on 6th and 7th July 2012. In his speech he emphasized the present opportunity for both the Southern Mediterranean region and Europe to strengthen regional cooperation. Mr Sijilmassi highlighted that the Union for the Mediterranean stands ready today uniquely suited as a key forum of 43 partners to promote regional cooperation and integration in an effort to secure a stable and prosperous future for the Mediterranean. In this regard, he conveyed three main messages: the new context in the region is both an opportunity and an obligation to strengthen the regional cooperation in the Mediterranean as a key factor for regional stability; an enhanced coordination of initiatives in the region will lead to synergy of actions and quick and concrete results; priorities for the region remain job creation, increasing employability, youth, gender equality and strong civil society.

On the margins of the Croatia Summit, the Secretary General held talks with the President of Croatia, Mr Ivo Josipović; First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, Mr Radimir Čačić; Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Ms Vesna Pusić; and the Executive Secretary General of the European External Action Service, Mr Pierre Vimont.  He also met with the Heads of Delegations of Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, France and the Arab League, as well as with the Head of Delegation of Cyprus, the current Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and with the Head of Delegation of Ireland, the next EU Presidency.

Organized by the Government of the Republic of Croatia since 2006, the Croatia Summit is an international conference gathering Heads of Governments, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and other distinguished guests from Europe, the Southern Mediterranean and North America.