The Barcelona Process:
A Euro-Mediterranean North-South Partnership

Ana Palacio Vallelersundi

The terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 profoundly changed the geopolitical context in the Mediterranean region, thus posing a challenge to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership set up in 1995. This new context calls for a renewed partnership to respond to shifting geopolitical realities by focusing on two key issues: formulating a systemic, preventive, and multilateral security strategy; and deepening relations between the EU and its southern Mediterranean neighbors.

Spain was a driving force behind the creation and development of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, a program started within the framework of the Barcelona Process. As a representative of Spain in the European Parliament at this time, I participated in the evolution of this initiative. In the most recent Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference in Valencia in 2002, Spain highlighted two priorities: promoting investment in the private sector and supporting intercultural dialogue. We proposed the creation of a Euromed Bank, a Foundation for the Dialogue of Cultures, and a Parliamentary Assembly. I believe it critical that these proposals be developed further and finalized at the Euro-Mediterranean conference in Naples in December 2003.

Ana Palacio Vallelersundi is Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain. Previously, she was Member of the European Parliament.