EU and Mediterranean countries to a summit in Paris

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Government Communications Unit Press Release 4 July 2008

A summit for the EU and Mediterranean countries will take place in Paris on Sunday, 13 July. The meeting will be organised by France, the country currently holding the EU Presidency. The EU Member States, 12 countries participating in the Barcelona Process, and Libya, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Monaco have been invited to the summit in Paris. President of the Republic Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen will represent Finland at the meeting.

The plenary session of the summit is to adopt a declaration on enhancing cooperation between the EU Member States and the countries in the Mediterranean area. Topics proposed for discussion by the Presidency include economic development, environmental and civilian protection, education and research, and political dialogue.

The session will be succeeded by an informal dinner for the Heads of State and Government. On Monday, 14 July the Heads of State and Government are invited to follow the French Independence Day parade and to a lunch hosted by President and Madame Sarkozy.

The current Euro-Mediterranean cooperation is based on the Barcelona Process launched in 1995 which aims at creating an area of peace, stability and shared prosperity through the enforcement of political dialogue and the promotion of economic and cultural partnership.
Finland supports the development of Euro-Mediterranean relations. It is vital that all EU countries can participate as equal partners. Ever since the early steps, Finland has actively participated in the Barcelona Process and its development.

Dr Pentti Arajärvi and Ms Sirkka Mertala will also travel to Paris.