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Mediterranean

Meeting of the SI Mediterranean Committee in Split, Croatia

10-11 October 2003

On 10-11 October in Split, hosted by the Social Democratic Party of Croatia, the Mediterranean Committee gathered to discuss an agenda which included the themes of regional co-operation; integration and common challenges to the region by globalisation; working for peace and security in the Mediterranean and strengthening democratic institutions and civil society. Reports on national situations from member parties in the region were also received. Tonino Picula, Foreign Minister of Croatia headed the delegation of the host party and opened the discussions which were chaired by Manuel Marín, chair of the Committee (Spanish Socialist Workers Party, PSOE). List of Participants.

In addressing the challenges of the Mediterranean region regarding peace, security and sustainable development the committee called on the countries of the region to advance in the process of co-operation and to make an effort in their work towards the implementation of the agreements already reached at the Euro-Mediterranean level.

The Committee, which issued a Declaration of Split, summarising its debates, equally addressed in its exchanges the situation in the Middle East, Algeria, Cyprus and Western Sahara.


DECLARATION OF SPLIT

Original: Spanish

Meeting in Split on 10-11 October 2003, at an important moment for the international community given the latest developments in Iraq and the Middle East, the SI Mediterranean Committee:

  • Notes that the Mediterranean has become the centre of world crises, where two of the most serious international conflicts are taking place. At the same time, the Mediterranean is facing great challenges such as security, peace and war, sustainable development or the relation between democracy and development.

  • Recognises that the Mediterranean is a sphere of great potential in which co-exist a plurality of cultures, languages, religions and traditions open to building greater cooperation and integration in a world ever more globalised.

  • Recognises the importance of the integration processes for solving the economic, social and political conflicts, which are conditioned by globalisation which offer both advantages and disadvantages.

  • Notes that the Euro-Mediterranean process, which will soon see its tenth year, is the ideal and only framework to advance in the economic, socio-cultural and in particular political cooperation between the countries of the region. A greater effort and will is necessary to advance decidedly in the implementation of the Agreements and to give particular attention to the participation and integration of women in the process of establishing peace and development.

  • Considers that this method of cooperation is not only possible and necessary but must be based on dialogue and mutual confidence. Therefore it is necessary to promote regional integration between the countries of the Southern zone of the Mediterranean which participate in the Barcelona Process, choosing their own model of integration.

  • Understands that the balance and stability of the region are subject to intense efforts for peace and security in the area. Both shores of the Mediterranean can and should contribute to that balance and in the interests of both should be in harmony. There exist more than enough factors to indicate an uncertain future if the structurally unjust situations which affect the Southern shore persist.

  • The third pillar, which relates to social and human partnership should be strengthened and promoted in order to reinforce common values, respect and understanding, thus ensuring an equilibrium between the economic and socio-cultural partnership.

  • Considers that the open crisis since the beginning of the war in Iraq has once again raised the issue of reforming multilateral institutions to make them more democratic and efficient, adapting them to the new realities and challenges of the 21st Century. The fight against the new threats to freedom, democracy and human rights, such as terrorism, the mafias of illegal immigration, organised crime, hunger or AIDS, should be based on a democratic concept of global security.

  • Expresses its concern over the situation in Algeria and reiterates its solidarity with the Algerian people in their efforts to find a political peaceful and global solution.

  • Welcomes the positive developments in the political process in Cyprus, and reaffirms the resolution on Cyprus adopted at the Toledo meeting of this Committee and its position that a settlement on the Cyprus question must be based on the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the ‘acquis communautaire’.

  • Observes with hope the UN Resolution regarding Western Sahara which aims to find a solution within the framework of international law.

  • Observes with concern the terrible reality of the current situation of the Road Map, condemning the declarations of the Israeli authorities in which they do not exclude the physical elimination or expulsion of the President of the Palestinian National Authority. Furthermore, the Committee condemns the recent Israeli air raid against Syria, a sovereign country, which runs the risk of internationalising the conflict, and is a breach of international law.

  • The SI Mediterranean Committee urges all sides to adopt a political rationale which would lead to the co-existence and cooperation of two peoples and two states, the Israeli and a sovereign and viable Palestinian state, in accordance with international law, rejecting all types of extremist attitudes and violence against either peoples, including the construction of the wall in Palestinian territory.


LIST OF PARTICIPANTS



Chair of the Committee

Manuel Marín
(Spain, PSOE)



Secretary General of the SI
Luis Ayala



ALGERIA
Socialist Forces Front, FFS
Ahmed Djeddaï
Karim Baloul



BELGIUM
Socialist Party, PS

Etienne Godin



CYPRUS
Movement of Social Democrats EDEK
Eleni Karaoli
 


CROATIA
Social Democratic Party, SDP

Tonino Picula
Mirjana Feric Vac
Irina Stajcic
Marin Jurjevic
Igor Dragovan
Veljan Radojkovic
Vesna Perak Bone
Ljubo Urlic
 


FRANCE
Socialist Party, PS

Alain Chenal
Christian Castagna
 


GREECE
Panhellenic Socialist Movement, PASOK

Irene Lambraki
 


ITALY
Democrats of the Left, DS

Nicola Manca
 


TERRITORIES UNDER PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
Fatah

Hassan Balawi
Majed Maarouf



SPAIN
Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, PSOE

Raimon Obiols
Cristina Juarranz
 


SWEDEN
Swedish Social Democratic Party, SAP

Hillevi Larsson
 


TUNISIA
Constitutional Democratic Assembly, RCD
Abderrahmen Bouhrizi
 


Socialist International Women, SIW
Marcia Alexaki
 


Parliamentary Group of the Party of European Socialists
Emilio Menéndez del Valle
 


SI Secretariat
Latifa Perry
 


Guests



SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro, DPSM
Boro Vucinic
Daliborka Pejovic
 


SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
Social Democratic Party of Serbia
Vlatko Sekulovic



Other activities

If you are looking for an earlier meeting, please consult the LIBRARY section.