Mediterranean
10-11 October 2003
On 10-11 October in Split, hosted by the Social Democratic Party of Croatia, the Mediterranean Committee gathered to discuss an agenda which included the themes of regional co-operation; integration and common challenges to the region by globalisation; working for peace and security in the Mediterranean and strengthening democratic institutions and civil society. Reports on national situations from member parties in the region were also received. Tonino Picula, Foreign Minister of Croatia headed the delegation of the host party and opened the discussions which were chaired by Manuel Marín, chair of the Committee (Spanish Socialist Workers Party, PSOE). List of Participants.
In addressing the challenges of the Mediterranean region regarding peace, security and sustainable development the committee called on the countries of the region to advance in the process of co-operation and to make an effort in their work towards the implementation of the agreements already reached at the Euro-Mediterranean level.
The Committee, which issued a Declaration of Split, summarising its debates, equally addressed in its exchanges the situation in the Middle East, Algeria, Cyprus and Western Sahara.
DECLARATION OF SPLIT
Original: Spanish
Meeting in Split on 10-11 October 2003, at an important moment for the international community given the latest developments in Iraq and the Middle East, the SI Mediterranean Committee:
- Notes that the Mediterranean has become the centre of world crises, where two of the most serious international conflicts are taking place. At the same time, the Mediterranean is facing great challenges such as security, peace and war, sustainable development or the relation between democracy and development.
- Recognises that the Mediterranean is a sphere of great potential in which co-exist a plurality of cultures, languages, religions and traditions open to building greater cooperation and integration in a world ever more globalised.
- Recognises the importance of the integration processes for solving the economic, social and political conflicts, which are conditioned by globalisation which offer both advantages and disadvantages.
- Notes that the Euro-Mediterranean process, which will soon see its tenth year, is the ideal and only framework to advance in the economic, socio-cultural and in particular political cooperation between the countries of the region. A greater effort and will is necessary to advance decidedly in the implementation of the Agreements and to give particular attention to the participation and integration of women in the process of establishing peace and development.
- Considers that this method of cooperation is not only possible and necessary but must be based on dialogue and mutual confidence. Therefore it is necessary to promote regional integration between the countries of the Southern zone of the Mediterranean which participate in the Barcelona Process, choosing their own model of integration.
- Understands that the balance and stability of the region are subject to intense efforts for peace and security in the area. Both shores of the Mediterranean can and should contribute to that balance and in the interests of both should be in harmony. There exist more than enough factors to indicate an uncertain future if the structurally unjust situations which affect the Southern shore persist.
- The third pillar, which relates to social and human partnership should be strengthened and promoted in order to reinforce common values, respect and understanding, thus ensuring an equilibrium between the economic and socio-cultural partnership.
- Considers that the open crisis since the beginning of the war in Iraq has once again raised the issue of reforming multilateral institutions to make them more democratic and efficient, adapting them to the new realities and challenges of the 21st Century. The fight against the new threats to freedom, democracy and human rights, such as terrorism, the mafias of illegal immigration, organised crime, hunger or AIDS, should be based on a democratic concept of global security.
- Expresses its concern over the situation in Algeria and reiterates its solidarity with the Algerian people in their efforts to find a political peaceful and global solution.
- Welcomes the positive developments in the political process in Cyprus, and reaffirms the resolution on Cyprus adopted at the Toledo meeting of this Committee and its position that a settlement on the Cyprus question must be based on the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the ‘acquis communautaire’.
- Observes with hope the UN Resolution regarding Western Sahara which aims to find a solution within the framework of international law.
- Observes with concern the terrible reality of the current situation of the Road Map, condemning the declarations of the Israeli authorities in which they do not exclude the physical elimination or expulsion of the President of the Palestinian National Authority. Furthermore, the Committee condemns the recent Israeli air raid against Syria, a sovereign country, which runs the risk of internationalising the conflict, and is a breach of international law.
- The SI Mediterranean Committee urges all sides to adopt a political rationale which would lead to the co-existence and cooperation of two peoples and two states, the Israeli and a sovereign and viable Palestinian state, in accordance with international law, rejecting all types of extremist attitudes and violence against either peoples, including the construction of the wall in Palestinian territory.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Chair of the Committee
Manuel Marín
(Spain, PSOE)
Secretary General of the SI
Luis Ayala
ALGERIA
Socialist Forces Front, FFS
Ahmed Djeddaï
Karim Baloul
BELGIUM
Socialist Party, PS
Etienne Godin
CYPRUS
Movement of Social Democrats EDEK
Eleni Karaoli
CROATIA
Social Democratic Party, SDP
Tonino Picula
Mirjana Feric Vac
Irina Stajcic
Marin Jurjevic
Igor Dragovan
Veljan Radojkovic
Vesna Perak Bone
Ljubo Urlic
FRANCE
Socialist Party, PS
Alain Chenal
Christian Castagna
GREECE
Panhellenic Socialist Movement, PASOK
Irene Lambraki
ITALY
Democrats of the Left, DS
Nicola Manca
TERRITORIES UNDER PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
Fatah
Hassan Balawi
Majed Maarouf
SPAIN
Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, PSOE
Raimon Obiols
Cristina Juarranz
SWEDEN
Swedish Social Democratic Party, SAP
Hillevi Larsson
TUNISIA
Constitutional Democratic Assembly, RCD
Abderrahmen Bouhrizi
Socialist International Women, SIW
Marcia Alexaki
Parliamentary Group of the Party of European Socialists
Emilio Menéndez del Valle
SI Secretariat
Latifa Perry
Guests
SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro, DPSM
Boro Vucinic
Daliborka Pejovic
SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
Social Democratic Party of Serbia
Vlatko Sekulovic
Other activities
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Meeting of the SI Mediterranean Committee
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16-17 December 2016
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Meeting of the SI Mediterranean Committee, Barcelona, Spain
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Meeting of the SI Mediterranean Committee
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Calling for ‘a single shore’, the SI Mediterranean Committee meets in Barcelona
05-06 October 2009
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SI Mediterranean Committee meeting in LEBANON
25-26 April 2008
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SI Mediterranean Committee meets in NAPLES
04-05 May 2007
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SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL discusses Lebanon situation in extraordinary meeting in Beirut
16 December 2006
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Valencia meeting addresses key issues for the MEDITERRANEAN REGION
24-25 October 2005
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Socialist International welcomes the outcome of Lebanese elections
20 June 2005
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SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL focuses attention on the situation in Lebanon at a special meeting
04 April 2005
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SI Mediterranean Committee HOLDS MEETING IN LIMASSOL in support of negotiations for a united Cyprus
26-27 March 2004
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SI Mediterranean Committee meeting in Toledo, Spain
09-10 May 2003
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Meeting of the Socialist International Mediterranean Committee, Seville
29-30 October 2001
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Meeting of the Socialist International Mediterranean Committee, Palma de Mallorca
01-02 December 2000
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Meeting of the Socialist International Mediterranean Committee, Paris
06 November 1999
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Meeting of the Socialist International Mediterranean Committee, Rome
06-07 March 1998
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Meeting of the Socialist International Mediterranean Committee, Tangier
21-22 March 1997
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Images of SI observation of the Lebanese elections, June 2005
If you are looking for an earlier meeting, please consult the LIBRARY section.