Press Release: European Union Ministers agree to initiate services and investment talks with Mediterranean countries

European Union Ministers on 21 November 2005 decided to authorise the European Commission to open negotiations on the liberalisation of services and investment with the EU’s Mediterranean partners. A few days before the Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Barcelona, which was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership at the end of November 2005, this decision confirmed that the EU was determined to give a new impetus to economic integration across the Mediterranean. The liberalisation of services and investment were held to bring considerable economic benefits throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region. These negotiations constituted an important part of a wider strategy to boost trade within the region itself.

EEAS: Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EUROMED) http://eeas.europa.eu/euromed/index_en.htm

---