I Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference (Barcelona, 27th and 28th November 1995)

The Barcelona Conference marked the beginning of a new phase in the relations amongst countries in the Mediterranean basin.  This series of ministerial meetings to discuss the principal political, economic, and social issues facing Euro-Mediterranean countries was inaugurated on 28th November 1995 in the city of Barcelona, at the request of the Spanish Government.  The participating Foreign Ministers expressed their determination to consider the region’s peace, stability, and security to be a common asset for the countries on the Mediterranean’s shores.

The Barcelona Conference produced a Declaration of Principles, which highlighted the following measures:

- Act in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Develop the rule of law and democracy
- Respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and guarantee the effective legitimate exercise of such rights and freedoms
- Respect sovereign equality and all rights inherent in sovereignty
- Respect the equal rights of peoples and their right to self-determination
- Co-operate on the prevention and fight against terrorism, against the expansion and diversification of organised crime, and combat the drugs problem in all its aspects
- Promote regional security in favour of nuclear, chemical, and biological non-proliferation
- Pursue a Middle East Zone free of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and their delivery systems

 

 

For more information