Press release of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
Marseille, 31 March 2000
N° 4

Mr. Hubert Védrine, French Minister for Foreign Affairs, concluded the proceedings of the first day of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean (CSCM), which opened on the morning of Friday, 31 March, and will run until Monday, 3 April, at the Hôtel de Région of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region in Marseilles.

Welcoming the existence of such an event, Mr. Védrine commented that "the work of governments alone is not sufficient: it must be enriched and supplemented by other exchanges, first and foremost among the bodies that enjoy the most legitimate and representative status, namely parliaments".

"As parliamentarians, said Mr. Védrine, referring to the situation in the Middle East, "you are faced with the same task as governments: surmounting obstacles, avoiding global processes of reasoning and focusing instead on the myriad causes of conflicts, reviewing on a case-by-case basis possible action to defuse them, and exploring possible solutions and ways of preventing fresh difficulties from arising. This calls for careful preparations, ongoing action and consolidation".

Once the solutions have been outlined, priority must be given to cooperation, bearing in mind the difficulty presented by the "North-South gulf and its extension into the Mediterranean area". As Mr. Védrine sees it, "provision must be made for both immediate and future-oriented action".

Turning to the Barcelona process, he said he well understood the sense of disappointment that was being expressed, especially during the CSCM proceedings: "Too much was expected too quickly, but it remains a sound idea. It is impossible to respond to all demands, but that applies to our own programmes too! I understand the countries that would like to see Barcelona moving forward more decisively and more rapidly".

"This is also one of the goals of the French presidency of the European Union" in the second half of 2000, said Mr. Védrine. The French Minister for Foreign Affairs announced that the fourth session of the Barcelona process would be held in Marseilles next November, a ministerial meeting in the form of a summit of heads of State and government "to impart powerful momentum to the Barcelona process on all fronts". This stage will constitute "a revitalisation of the Barcelona process, which has moved beyond its fledgling stage".

"France, when exercising the European presidency, will be constantly mindful of the vital nature of the Mediterranean dimension (…). In that context, assured Mr. Védrine, "we will bear in mind your conclusions and suggestions."

Contacts: in Marseilles, international press: Ms. Luisa Ballin, IPU press officer, tel. (41.79) 649.71.45 or (00 33 4) 91.57.53.82, fax (00 33 4) 91.57.53.81, e.mail lb@mail.ipu.org or cd@mail.ipu.org - local press: Mr. Jean Fleury, press officer for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, tel. (00 33 4) 91.57.51.64, fax (00 33 4) 91.57.51.53, e-mail jfleury@hdr.cr-paca.fr