EuroMed

Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP)/ Barcelona Process

Political and Security Partnership

One of the three objectives of the Barcelona Process is the definition of a common area of peace and stability by reinforcing the political and security dialogue.   Being an area of vital strategic relevance, the South and East Mediterranean have been defined a key priority  in EU external relations. The establishment of the political and security partnership is based mainly on confidence and security-building measures.  Due to the current situation in the Middle East, those measures could  not reach the necessary level of effectiveness.

Core issues of the Political and Security partnership:

-         peace and stability

-         political governance => good governance / democratization

-         human rights

To ensure the implementation of set principles and objectives by  Member States of  the EMP, the Barcelona Process provides for  four instruments:

-         Periodic meetings of foreign affairs ministers of the 35 partner – states of EMP

-         Euro- Mediterranean Committee for the Barcelona Process => Preparation, monitoring and evaluation of conferences

-         Senior Officials Committee

-         European Commission, mainly the Directorate-General for External Relations => detailed preparatory and follow-up work of decisions made by European Commission and foreign minister meetings