Declaration of the the 17the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for Mediterranean "The Rabat Spirit"

16/02/2024

February 16th, 2024
 
1-     Under the presidency of Mr. Rachid Talbi El Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Morocco and President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, and at his invitation;
2-     Deeply attached to the principles of peaceful coexistence and tolerance, and eager to preserve the cohesion and spirit of compromise that unite the Euro-Mediterranean peoples and motivate their joint parliamentary action ;
3-     Driven by the need to pursue dialogue and consultation among parliaments and to strengthen the efforts already undertaken, with the aim of making the Mediterranean a prosperous space where peace, democracy, and co-development prevail ;
4-     Recalling, the commitment expressed by Mediterranean parliamentarians to support on a parliamentary level and to endorse the implementation of commitments made, since the launch of the Barcelona Process in 1995, the creation of the Union for the Mediterranean in 2008, through the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum in 1998 followed by the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly in 2004, and the PA-UfM in 2010.
5-     The presidents of the PA-UfM members emphasize the need to join their efforts to face common challenges and agree on the relevance of a strong Union for the Mediterranean that focuses on a renewed neighborhood policy with the European Union. This policy should consider the tremendous developments occurring in the Euro-Mediterranean region and the unprecedented challenges it must confront;
6-      They are closely following the reform process of the Union for the Mediterranean, launched in November 2022, aiming to preserve its strategic and political relevance, develop its achievements, and strengthen its instruments to be in line with the multifaceted challenges of the present and future at both regional and global levels.
7-     They welcome the EU-Jordan Co-Presidency initiated by the Union for the Mediterranean and applaud the candidacy of the Kingdom of Morocco for this role, which is expected to provide a new impetus to Euro-Mediterranean integration;
8-     They recall their duty to consider the expectations and people’s concerns in terms of climate change, health security, migration issues, human trafficking, organized crime, terrorism, separatism, and all security challenges that require a common Euro-Mediterranean action.
9-         They emphasize the threat posed by terrorist groups taking advantage of instability and conflict to proliferate and destabilize the Mediterranean region ;
10-  They regretted the persistence of several political and economic barriers that prevent Mediterranean cooperation from producing concrete content that meets the aspirations of Mediterranean citizens, particularly youth.and that is conducive to the development of all countries in the region;
11-    They call for the economic dimension to be given top priority within the UfM through encouraging free trade and the development of investment projects in the region, particularly in key sectors for regional integration such as transport and energy connectivity;
12-  - They recalled the main pillars of Mediterranean parliamentary cooperation, namely political dialogue, economic and cultural cooperation, and human, social and cultural dialogue, and stressed the importance of repositioning cooperation and partnership through structuring and innovative projects in areas of common interest;
13-        They called for greater commitment from the members of the            PA-UfM and better coordination to preserve the Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary achievements, through greater mobilization of better targeted  and efficient  means to revitalize their joint action;
14-   The Presidents condemned the resurgence of violence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and the human cost it is inflicting, insisting on the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, in full compliance with international humanitarian law, and the liberation of innocent civilians, while denouncing terrorist actions and calling for the resumption of efforts aimed at achieving the two States political solution ;
15-  They expressed, in this connection, their rejection of forcible  displacement of Palestinians, calling for an adequate, safe and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid destined to the civilian population  in the Gaza Strip;
16-   They reiterated the urgent need to reactivate the Israeli-Palestinian peace process to promote the search for a comprehensive solution to the Middle East question, one that is just and lasting, and which can create a political horizon conducive to the establishment of two States living side by side in peace and harmony;
17-   The Presidents expressed their support for the efforts made by countries in the region to consolidate democracy and the rule of law;
18-   They expressed their support for the efforts made by the countries of the region to consolidate democracy and the rule of law;
19-   The Summit commended the Moroccan Presidency for its active contribution to the PA-UfM bodies and the efforts it has made during its term of office, praising the Kingdom of Morocco's significant parliamentary contribution, as a founding member, to the successful organization of the Bureau and Enlarged Bureau meetings, as well as the hosting of the PA-UfM's 17th plenary session and the preparation of its work;
20-   The Summit praised the commitment of the Spanish Presidency, which is taking over from Morocco, to breathing new life into Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary action.

PA-UfM