The European Commission today unveiled a wide-ranging work programme to reinforce the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process) over the next five years. In a Communication to the Council and Parliament, the Commission outlined proposals for concrete progress in three areas critical for the future of the region: Education, Sustainable Economic Growth; and Human Rights and Democracy. In addition to these priority areas, the work programme also covers social reforms, environment, migration, weapons of mass destruction and counter-terrorism. The Commission Work Programme provides an agenda for discussion on the way forward for the Barcelona Process in its 10^th anniversary year, both at the Euromed Foreign Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg in May, and the special anniversary conference in Barcelona in November.

Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero- Waldner said "The Work Programme proposed today has all the ingredients to reinvigorate the Euromed partnership as it enters its second decade. With one third of the population of Mediterranean partners under 15, education is crucial and this will be my personal top priority."

Education

Increasing the quality of education for all, and ensuring a more equitable access is a central objective of the work plan. The Commission proposes:

• To promote a substantial increase in EU and Member States' support for education and vocational training, with the objective of increasing by at least 50% the proportion of financial assistance devoted to education.
• To seek a commitment from partners to a new target of 2015, for the eradication of illiteracy in the region; full enrolment of girls and boys at primary school, and elimination of gender disparity at all levels of education.
• To launch a scheme offering scholarships for university study in Europe, with a percentage of places reserved for women.

Economic Growth and Reform

The Barcelona Declaration set the target of creating a Free Trade Agreement by 2010. With only five years to go, action is needed to make a reality of that ambition. Deepening economic integration between the EU and Mediterranean countries through liberalisation of trade in agriculture and services, regulatory convergence and enhanced investment will be key objectives in the years ahead. In parallel, south-south regional integration needs to be accelerated.

The Commission proposes:

• A road-map should be agreed for the creation of a Free Trade Area by 2010.
• Euro-Med partners should launch regional negotiations on a voluntary basis on the liberalisation of services and establishment. The Commission will submit to the Council negotiating guidelines to start negotiations in 2005.
• Euro-Med partners should agree a road map for agricultural liberalisation. The Commission will submit to the Council negotiating guidelines to start negotiations in 2005.

Human Rights and Democracy

Political reform is the key to achieving sustainable security and stability. The Commission seeks a new focus within the Euro-Med partnership on issues such as protection of human rights, empowerment of women, strengthening of democracy, pluralism and independent judiciary. The Commission proposes greater cooperation in these fields, including:

• A new Democracy Facility to support those partners who show a clear commitment to political reform

For more information:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/euromed/index.htm

TIMELINE FOR KEY INITIATIVES