Mediterranean policy: follow-up to the Barcelona Conference 1995

The Council heard an oral report from the Commission on the negotiations currently under way on new association agreements with a number of the European Union’s Mediterranean partners. The Council reiterated its commitment to the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and, in view of the second meeting of Foreign Ministers to take place on 15-16 April 1997, recalled that the Barcelona Declaration underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral relations as a counterpart to the multilateral framework. In this regard, the Council underlined its determination to conclude the negotiations with Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as soon as possible, as a further step towards the completion of the network of Euro-Mediterranean association agreements. The Council welcomed the Commission’s intention to begin negotiations with Algeria shortly and encouraged it to pursue actively its exploratory talks with Syria. The Council also welcomed the recent conclusion of negotiations with the PLO on an interim association agreement and invited the Commission to submit a formal proposal for signature as soon as possible.