WIREDGOV

The 42 member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) convened yesterday by videoconference for the 11^th Trade Ministerial Conference to launch three new trade and investment initiatives. They also called for the strengthening of trade ties in the Euro-Mediterranean area as a crucial element for the regional economic recovery.

The UfM Trade Ministerial Conference stressed the importance of ensuring that Mediterranean partners can take full advantage of opening markets. The newly launched trade and investment initiatives supported by the EU and implemented by partner organisations – the International Trade Centre, the International Labour Organization and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development – will contribute to that aim. Worth a total of €11 million, they will strengthen the impact of trade and investment on job creation in the Southern Mediterranean and encourage inclusive economic development.

The Ministerial Conference was held under the UfM Co-Presidency of Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, and Eng. Maha Ali, Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, in the presence of Mr Nasser Kamel, UfM Secretary-General.

Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis yesterday stated:

“The Mediterranean region has been well-known throughout history for its thriving trade in knowledge and goods. I am pleased to see that the current pandemic did not stop this, and that we agree that vibrant regional trade can play a vital role in economic recovery in the EU and the broader Euro-Mediterranean region. That is why we need to continue working on deepening our engagement with our partners in the region. I strongly encourage businesses from both the Northern and Southern shores of the Mediterranean to take greater advantage of the opportunities that this regional trade, investment and economic partnership provides."

Jordanian Minister Eng. Maha Ali yesterday stated:

“This important Ministerial conference coincides with the 25^th anniversary of the Barcelona Process of Euro-Mediterranean partnership, which laid the foundation for the formalisation of the Union for the Mediterranean and introduced a long-term regional framework for cooperation under the North-South Co-Presidency. The unprecedented social and economic vulnerabilities in the region aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic calls more than ever for solidarity and effective cooperation addressing compelling issues with special attention to the Southern shore of the Mediterranean.   Jordan stands ready as Co-President of the UfM to work with the EU and the Southern Mediterranean countries to promote regional sustainable development under the Union for the Mediterranean framework.”

UfM Secretary-General Nasser Kamel yesterday said:

“The current pandemic has led to far-reaching global disruptions of value-chains, contraction of trade and investment flows. Any ‘new normal' in which enhanced trade and economic integration do not assume protagonism would not stand up to the legitimate aspirations of people on both shores of the Mediterranean. Today's meeting demonstrates the common will of 42 countries to work together in these areas and illustrates the UfM's action-driven methodology which turns our political mandates into concrete initiatives through a multi-partner regional dialogue.”

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