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The Barcelona Summit aims to launch a new phase in
Euro-Mediterranean relations, to meet the demands created by major changes on
the international scene, and within the European Union itself. EU expansion,
and the beginning of accession talks with other countries, have caused the
number of members in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership to rise from 27 to
38. Full members of the Barcelona Process are:
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25 Member States of the European Union.
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10 countries from the southern Mediterranean shore: Algeria, Palestinian
Authority, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey
(already part of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, the latter began EU
accession talks on 3rd October).
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Romania and Bulgaria, that are candidates to join the European Union, which
have already signed an Accession Agreement.
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Croatia, a candidate to join the EU, which began accession talks on 3rd
October.
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The European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Secretariat-General
of the Council of the EU
Moreover, the Barcelona Process includes 6 countries and institutions
participating as permanent observers (Libya, Mauritania, the
Secretary-General of the Arab League) and invited observers,
such as the European Investment Bank, the Arab Maghreb Union, the Anna
Lindh Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures, the Economical and Social
Committee or the Euromed Economical and Social Councils.
The new realities and challenges of the 21st century make it
necessary to update the
Barcelona Declaration and create a new Action Plan (based on the good
results of the
Valencia Action Plan), encompassing four fundamental areas:
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Peace, Security, Stability, Good Government, and Democracy.
It is necessary to strengthen our common democratic principles with concrete
measures, and respond to new common threats, such as the fight against
terrorism or weapons of mass destruction.
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Sustainable Economic Development and Reform. The
modernisation of economic structures, growth, and sustainable development will
be accelerated. The methods used for managing EU financial aid to
countries on the southern Mediterranean coast will be reinforced and improved,
and support to the private sector will be made much stronger than it has been
to date.
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Education and Cultural Exchange. Civil society’s
participation in every process plays an essential role in cultures’ mutual
knowledge and understanding. Therefore, contributions to better
intercultural understanding will be made through the recently created Anna
Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures (with its
headquarters in Alexandria), to which Spain is the principal individual
contributor.
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Justice, Security, Migration, and Social Integration. The
value that migratory movements have today will be enhanced, intensifying
co-operation in an area of such great importance, where concerted action is
increasingly necessary.
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