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Euro-Med Trade Union Forum

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Euro-Med Trade Union Forum

The Euro-Med Trade Union Forum was created in 1999 to bring together affiliates of ETUC, ICFTU, Trade Union Confederation of Arab Magreb Workers (USTMA) and the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (CISA). The Forum met in Barcelona on 6-7 November to evaluate the first 10 years of partnership between 37 countries (25 EU member states plus Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Lybia, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey) from the Mediterranean rim. However, the TUC along with CSC (Belgium) and DGB (Germany) were the only organisations from 'Northern' Europe to be represented at the conference. Albania was also represented.

The Forum looked at the future of the EU new neighbourhood policy but also at the progress made in 10 years. With regret, the Forum concluded that the objectives set out in the Barcelona Process (1995) have not been achieved. In particular, the Forum noted that the area had not become a peace zone (reference was often made to the unlawful occupation of Iraq, the worsening of the situation in Western Sahara and the on going conflict between Israel and Palestine); the economic and social situation had not improved; the partnership had not contributed to create employment and migration remains a major problem; democracy has not advanced and social dialogue was still absent. The Forum also called for the strengthening of cooperation between the two sides of the Mediterranean sea and for the respect of human rights and core labour standards as social justice should be a precondition for economic development and elimination of poverty. The Forum also adopted a work plan that includes mechanisms for multilateral monitoring of the situation, trade union cooperation and a new conference in 2006 on employment.

During the debate, it was often said that the new EU neighbourhood policy should constitute a real alternative to US foreign policy and that trade unions should convey to their respective governments that the promotion of a social dimension should be an integral part of the EU development cooperation policy.

The declaration will be presented to the heads of state or government meeting in Barcelona on 28-29 November. On this occasion the European Commission will submit proposals focusing on human rights, democracy, education and economic reforms. The final declaration can be found at http://www.etuc.org/a/1739.

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