Is there still a role for Europe in the ME conflict?
Of course. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is affirmative. But his reflection herein is also clear about the disappointment of the European policy regarding this never-ending conflict.
That was our ambition during the Barcelona conference that I had the honor to preside under the Spanish Presidency of the EU in 1995: that Europeans should decide, united, to face up to their responsibilities in the Middle East.
Since then, the EU involvement in the Middle East peace process has taken different shapes. Europe is a member of the Quartet and one of its founders. It played a central role in drawing up the roadmap that shows the parties the road to follow so that Israel can live peacefully next to a democratic and viable Palestinian state. After Israeldecided to leave the Gaza Strip, the European Union spared no effort to make sure the unilateral withdrawal is being conducted in accordance with political and security parameters.
Contrary to widespread opinion, the European Union and its member states are by far the most important donors. The people of Gaza know that they can hope for a fast technical assistance. Our ambition is to contribute to the economic viability of the Palestinian territories by facilitating access to world markets. Constructing a port and reconstructing the airport seem necessary.
The truth is that the European Union knew how to face up to its regional responsibilities, even if no major progress was made in the peace process. The Euromed partnership, originally conceived as an instrument for maximizing peace dividends, is henceforth very well established.
The difficult choice for change
Civil society actors dream of turning the Mediterranean basin into a space for peace, stability, solidarity and prosperity. They also call for the Barcelona declaration, which originally recognized that one key to success is the reinforcement of democracy and the respect for human rights.
In many people’s opinion, the capacity of the partnership to reduce the divergences between the two shores of the Mediterranean in terms of prosperity, human rights and freedom is the best indicator for measuring success. Even if real efforts were made on both sides, it is obvious that our common ambitions are not satisfied yet. The causes of failure are numerous, but only one thing is clear: the potentiality of the Euromed partnership was not completely used. The Barcelona process, henceforth enriched with the Neighborhood Policy, must become a highly efficient instrument in the hands of those who are engaged in political and economic reforms.
Let things be clear: no reform will be imposed. Not only it will be incompatible with the philosophy of the partnership, but it will also be inefficient. We consider that the role of the European Union is to assist people aching for change. You agree with me that the European Union knows very well what it is like to be faced with difficult changes.
Javier Solana
The European Union foreign policy chief
(Excerpts from Cahiers Euromed, 2005)
I believe that the main question of the article is mistaken. The question should remain how could the EU support the peace process? With all the related initiatives of the EU, it seems that the level of intervention is still not satisfactory, at least in terms of the tangible outcomes that seems to be absolute in this manner. However, I do agree with the propositions which dictate that the scope of the EU intervention is sound and sustainable. Successive to that and based on the fact that sustainability is a need based approach, there should always be a room for deliberations on these local needs and tailor all the aid to these. Inevitably, knowledge share and transfer is welcome and appreciated in this context. Open dialogue is to be proceeded, but within a pre-defined milestones!
Your reactions
I would like to be brief and thank Europa Jaratona program for its achievments in Jordan.
On: E-TVET reform (Jordan)
It is good to hear that there is someone who really cares about our historical monuments. While reading the article, I was hoping to find so many Tunisian names to make sure that, also, in our country there are people who are hell-bent on preserving what is left of a glorious history. Tunisia, thanks to its location, welcomed many civilizations whose leaders built huge and glorious buildings. Not only in cities near the shores, but also in the far west cities like Sbitla, Kasserin...
I believe that in order to save the surviving monuments, there should be a campaign to make Tunisians aware of the significance of such a loss if those buildings become ruins.
On: Initiatives to preserve Tunisian architecture
I have read this article with cautious and i was not happy of the approaches being written due i guess to lack of real understanding of current environmental issues we are facing. The problem of pollution will not be tackled only through fundings bec most of the money used is not appropriately used and if ever used we seek the traditional methods the old fashion way. We need to look at alternatives , less costs , better and more sustainable output. Waste problems are derived from mass consumerism and lack of understanding of what our lives should mean to us as far as human values and choices we should take in life. Building waste water treatment is needed but what is more needed is eduation and awereness and return to ethics and values. We can keep dumping money on projects but who would assure me that our resources are being well taken care of and not depleted in a fast way? Where is the concept of sustainibility?
On: Mediterranean pollution “hot spots” under control by 2020?
Our partners
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Europe, like all neighboring countries still have a role, this is not the question, but the questions here are; what’s the definition and frame of that role? Does conflicting parties accept that role? Do they accept the intervention of another country in the first place? Do they really want to solve that conflict? Does solving that conflict match with their leaders agendas???... Conflict solving involves Win-Win situations; the Win-Loose strategy comes only in war and not in conflict solving. So if conflicting parties can’t accept having minor sacrifices in order to save the future of their nations, then their intentions for conflict solving are questionable. Middle East location, political and commercial history made it the land of diverse cultures and backgrounds for centuries, different nations and races resided the area for years and years. We can’t come today and claim its land for only one race and refuse the others because that will go against the nature of this land and its history. I believe Europe role should be towards raising the culture of accepting the other first before proposing any conflict solving methodology.