French president Nicolas Sarkozy has reiterated his plan to set up a Mediterranean Union, a loose grouping of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, in 2008 – a move that is likely to raise eyebrows in some parts of Europe.
“I invite all the heads of state and government of countries bordering the Mediterranean to meet in France in June 2008 to lay the foundations of a political, economic and cultural union founded on the principles of strict equality”, Mr Sarkozy said during his visit to Morocco on Tuesday (23 October).
He added that “in the Mediterranean will be decided whether or not civilisations and religions will wage the most terrible of wars…whether or not the North and the South will clash”.
The idea of a Mediterranean Union is not a completely new one – it was floated by Mr Sarkozy leader during the French presidential campaign in spring of this year.
Under the plans, the group should tie southern Europe with Northern Africa as well as Israel and its Arab neighbours and tackle topical issues such as counter-terrorism, immigration, energy, trade, water and sustainable development.
However – after offering Turkey that it could be the backbone of the club – the project has been widely seen as another attempt to give Ankara an alternative for its bid for full EU membership.
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