The first Euro-Mediterranean Conference (Barcelona, November 1995) marked the start of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process), a wide framework of political, economic and social relations between the EU member countries and the Mediterranean partner countries.
In the Barcelona Declaration approved in 1995, the Euro-Mediterranean partners established the three main objectives of the Partnership. First, political and security cooperation with the definition of a common area of peace and stability; second, economic and financial cooperation with the creation of a zone of shared prosperity; and, finally, cooperation in the social, cultural and human fields based on development of human resources, encouragement of understanding between cultures, and exchanges between civil societies.
It was thereby acknowledged that the traditions of culture and civilisation in the Mediterranean, the dialogue between these cultures and the human, scientific and technological exchanges are an essential factor for bringing peoples closer and understanding each other as well as for the improvement of mutual perception.
This third aspect of the Barcelona Declaration was especially significant for the Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister, Anna Lindh, who promoted the idea of creating a Euro-Mediterranean foundation. Unfortunately, Anna Lindh did not see her idea accomplished. During the meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Committee, held in Dublin in May 2004, and at the proposal of the Egyptian government, the Foundation took the name of the murdered Swedish minister. It was also decided to establish the headquarters of the Foundation in Egypt , under the aegis of the Alexandria Library and the Swedish Institute in Alexandria.
Two years after the approval of the launching of the Foundation, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 25 EU countries and the 10 members of the Partnership adopted the standing rules of the new institution in The Hague in November 2004. After his appointment at the end of November 2004, Dr. Traugott Schoefthaler became the Executive Director of the Foundation in Alexandria.
The Foundation was formally inaugurated in April 2005 in Alexandria . The programme of the official launching of the Foundation included cultural activities and debates, a music festival and the first meeting of the 35 Euro-Mediterranean Networks of the Foundation.
What is the IEMed?
