02/10/2016 Declaration of the Bureau: Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, Bureau meeting
1.
Under the Presidency of Mr. RACHID TALBI EL ALAMI, President of the House of Representatives of Morocco and President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean and at his invitation;
2.
In the presence of:
HE Mr. MUSTAFA SALEH AL AMAWI, 1st Vice President of the Jordanian House of Deputies, representing HE Mr. ATIF TARAWNEH, President of the Jordanian Assembly of Deputies, and Vice President of the PA-UfM.
H.E.Mr. FERNANDO NEGRAO President of the Portuguese delegation representing H.E.Mr. EDUARDO FERRO RODRIGUES President of the Assembly of Portugal and Vice President of the PA-UfM,
The work of the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean were opened, February 12, 2016 in Rabat;
3.
Motivated by a common desire to continue the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue, this meeting consolidates the efforts already undertaken to transform the Mediterranean into an area of peace, democracy, cooperation and prosperity;
4.
The Bureau members of the PA-UfM stressed the importance of their conviction to find joint answers to the challenges and threats facing the region and reiterated their commitment to work jointly to revitalize the Union for the Mediterranean and further promote the neighborhood policy with the European Union by exploiting all opportunities for cooperation in this area in view of sustainable security and shared prosperity in the Mediterranean peoples.
5.
They have agreed that the challenge that faces the PA UfM is to strengthen parliamentary relations and to support the Euro-Mediterranean process, so to inject a new and sustainable impetus to the Union that new tracks are sought and can convert the objectives of our Assembly on tangible results, whether in the context of political dialogue, economic cooperation, dialogue or human, social and cultural.
6.
To this end, the Bureau members of the PA-UfM reiterated their commitment to work jointly to give a new impetus to the Union for the Mediterranean as a strategic framework for the promotion and deepening cooperation between the EU states and Mediterranean partners. As such, and in the next 3rd Summit of Presidents of Parliaments of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, scheduled during the current year in Morocco, Presidents of Regions and the Presidents of universities of the Mediterranean area will be associated to this event to allow better anchoring of the Mediterranean culture through local policies and school and university programs.
7.
Furthermore, the Bureau reiterated its support and solidarity to the democratic transitions in countries of the Southern Mediterranean and for this purpose did not fail to acknowledge the role played by Morocco during the Libyan crisis and highlighted that the Kingdom of Morocco which hosts since March 5th 2015, the international dialogue on Libya, played a crucial role in the settlement of this fratricidal conflict that is not only as a host but also a political role support, and remains alongside with the Libyan people to take it’s rightful place in the concert of nations.
8.
The Bureau did not fail to acknowledge the political developments social, and environmental undertaken by the Kingdom of Morocco including the latest local and regional elections held during the month of September as well as hosting the 22th Conference of Parties (COP 22) to the framework convention of the United Nations on climate change marked on the February 6th 2016 by the inauguration of His Majesty the King of the largest solar power plant in the world in the city of Ouarzazate.
9.
Similarly, the Bureau welcomed the efforts made by the Kingdom of Morocco about the issues of security and fight against terrorism in the Maghreb and the Sahel seeking to brake the rising violence from across the Mediterranean area, as well as an integrated and coherent approach that he developed for the prevention of terrorism threats and radicalization marked by the strengthening of security governance, the fight against poverty, exclusion and social inequality and promoting the values of religious tolerance.
10.
eanwhile, the Bureau welcomed Jordan's efforts in its fight against violent extremism and the promotion of peace as well as the fight against radicalization and recruitment of terrorists, marked by the political dialogue leads with European partners and those of the southern shore of the Mediterranean. Similarly, it welcomed the commitment of Jordan to the settlement of conflicts and particularly in Syria.
11.
The Bureau members reiterated their call for the reactivation of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process to a resolution of the Palestinian issue, essential and vital for ensuring peace and security in the Mediterranean. They stressed that peace in the Middle East requires a comprehensive solution and in this regard, the opening of a serious and concrete dialogue must be initiated in order to overcome the situation of stagnation that knows the peace process in the Middle East and in order to achieve a just and lasting solution that guarantees the establishment of two States living side by side in peace and harmony in conformity with UN resolutions.
12.
The Bureau emphasized the urgent need to immediately stop the violence in Syria and to launch without delay a political transition led by the Syrian people in accordance with their legitimate aspirations, and support possibilities to end the crisis in Syria through a political settlement guaranteeing genuine democratic transition by working to stop the spiral of violence, terrorism and the humanitarian crisis experienced by the Syrian people and the preservation of its territorial unity.
13.
The Bureau has not failed to show his ambition for developing Mediterranean strategic partnership between Africa and Europe, as well as to sub-regional level, particularly with the Maghreb Union.
14.
Moreover, the Bureau encourages the indispensable relaunch of the regional Maghreb area and reiterates that an integrated Maghreb is fundamental to the Union for the Mediterranean to release the economic growth of the region and foster shared prosperity.
15.
Furthermore, the Bureau welcomes the holding of the last Portuguese elections held on 24 January 2016 and praises the good functioning of democratic institutions and the democratic process in Portugal.
16.
Finally, the Bureau welcomed the Moroccan Presidency for its active contribution in the bodies of the PA UfM and its efforts provided during his mandate, and congratulated him for the quality of the organization meetings of the Bureau and the enlarged Bureau and the next host of the 12th plenary session of the PA-UfM and the 3rd Summit of Presidents in Morocco.
§
H.E.Mr RACHID TALBI EL ALAMI, President of the House of Representatives of Morocco and President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean
§
HE Mr. MUSTAFA SALEH AL AMAWI, 1st Vice President of the Jordanian House of Deputies, representing HE Mr. ATIF TARAWNEH, President of the Jordanian Assembly of Deputies, and Vice President of the PA-UfM.
§
H.E.Mr. FERNANDO NEGRAO President of the Portuguese delegation representing H.E.Mr. EDUARDO FERRO RODRIGUES President of the Assembly of Portugal and Vice President of the PA-UfM,