The Barcelona Summit, to be held the 27th and 28th of November, will signify the
political reinforcement of a unique process of regional co-operation, initiated
in 1995 when Spain held the European Union Presidency.
Since the creation of the Barcelona Process, important changes have occurred on
the international scene and within the European Union, so that now it needs to
be revised and updated. To do so, closer co-operation is required
from now on in different areas, such as joint action on the issues of migration
and security, in order to face new risks and common threats.
For the first time, and to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Barcelona
Euro-Mediterranean Conference, the countries belonging to the
Euro-Mediterranean Partnership will be meeting at the summit level, that is, at
the level of Heads of State and of Government.
The Barcelona Summit is being held under the EU Presidency of the United
Kingdom, lasting the second semester of this year; and Spain, which has always
played a key role in the European Union’s Mediterranean policy, is acting as
the host country. The EU has, moreover, declared 2005 to be the Year of
the Mediterranean, which has marked a major mobilisation of social agents all
over Europe, as can be seen in Spain by the many events being organised to mark
the Euro-Mediterranean Summit.