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Athens, 11 June 2021
We, the Ministers in charge of
European Affairs of Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain,
met in Athens on 11 June to reaffirm our commitment to our common European
project and to coordinate our efforts to address the challenges that we are
facing. Working together to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic and deliver a
sustainable recovery for our citizens, we are building the solid foundations
for a stronger and more united Europe.
1. The Mediterranean is
one of the richest environments in the world in terms of biodiversity, but
also one of the most vulnerable ones. The degradation of marine and coastal
ecosystems and the environmental challenges of the Mediterranean require
common responses and the advancement of further cooperation on Mediterranean
common goods. We reiterate our commitment to the protection of this shared
environment and the sustainable management of its resources. Sustainable Blue
Economy in the Mediterranean provides a comprehensive approach for the
transformation of the blue economy sectors in line with the objectives of the
European Green Deal. Both the new strategy for a sustainable blue economy
presented last May by the Commission and the Council Conclusions on
Sustainable Blue Economy of 26th May can contribute to meeting
the challenges facing all sectors of the blue economy. June 5th marked
the International Day for the fight against illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing, which poses a threat to coastal communities in the
Mediterranean Sea. We call for increased action to prevent, deter and
eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and ensure compliance
with fisheries rules in the Mediterranean Sea, the EU acquis and
international law. More broadly, we call for a stronger European maritime
ambition, which by taking into account the maritime aspects in each policy,
will allow the EU to answer to a number of contemporary challenges.
2. A European approach
has proved essential in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU manifested
resilience by acting in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. The EU
vaccination strategy has been the tangible proof of a Europe that protects.
More steps should continue to be taken to increase the resilience of our
healthcare systems in view of future crisis situations and to safeguard our
citizens’ right to a healthy life. It is necessary to reinforce existing EU
health agencies (ECDC and EMA) and promote the creation of an EU agency for
medical research and innovation (HERA). Restoring free movement within the EU
and international travelling is key for the day after. The European decision
on the EU Digital Covid Certificate will significantly facilitate the
movement of citizens and will help boost tourism and our economies, at the
same time protecting public health.
3. Next Generation EU is
the EU’s emblematic response to address the economic effects of the pandemic
crisis. Its major component, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RFF) will
help our economies to recover, make them greener and more digital and lead
them to a higher level of growth and overall socio-economic development. It
is of vital importance that the Recovery and Resilience Facility starts
bearing fruit for our citizens and businesses, without delay. We urge all
member states and the European Commission to make every effort so that the
Recovery and Resilience Plans are approved quickly and funding starts flowing
into the economies as soon as possible. Under these exceptional circumstances
we welcome the continued application of the general escape clause in 2022. We
need to open the discussion at EU level for further European efforts to
support growth and investment and guarantee an effective EU economic
governance also after the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Complementing the Next
Generation EU mechanism, the Updated New Industrial Strategy of Europe and
the Digital Compass constitute an integrated policy framework for EU’s
economic recovery, aimed at the green and digital transformations.
“Building back, better and greener” is both an opportunity and a
cross-sectoral challenge. In this respect, we look forward to the Commission
proposal on climate neutrality, including on the carbon border adjustment
mechanism among other measures of the “fit for fifty five” package.
Sustainable recovery will depend on economic, social and territorial
cohesion. Implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights,
in line with the Commission’s relevant Action Plan, as endorsed at the Porto
Social Summit of 7-8 May 2021, is the best way to ensure that this historical
transformation is conducted in fair terms, leaving no one behind, incl uding
platform workers. There won’t be a successful European recovery without a
strong social dimension, which takes into account the new realities we live
in, in respect of the relevant competences.
5. Migration remains
an international strategic challenge for our Union and requires a
comprehensive approach. We condemn all attempts to instrumentalise migratory
flows for political purposes and we highlight the need to continue the fight
against smuggling of migrants and trafficking of human beings. It is crucial
that the EU addresses the root causes of migration and develops further our
cooperation in a Team Europe spirit with countries of origin and transit of
migratory flows in all migration routes, which must effectively act in
preventing irregular migratory flows towards all member states in a
non-discriminatory manner through the use of necessary leverage. This
cooperation should take place through comprehensive, balanced and
tailored-made partnerships, making coordinated use of all available EU and
member states’ instruments and policies, including through a specialized
dialogue on issues of common interest on Justice and Home Affairs. In order
to contribute to the orderly management of migration flows, we underline the
need to develop sustainable legal pathways, including for those in need of
protection and to attract talent to the EU. At the same time, we need a
European coordinated approach to ensure returns, in a dignified manner, of
persons that do not have the right to remain in EU territory. The EU should
also work on legal channels of migration, such as humanitarian corridors, and
step up cooperation with the United Nations, in particular with UNHCR and
IOM, in the implementation of the European Commission΄s proposal for an EU
Strategy on voluntary returns, and evacuations from the reception centres.
The new Pact on Migration and Asylum needs to strike the necessary balance
between fair sharing of responsibility and solidarity. We reiterate our full
commitment to reach this goal and welcome the progress made by the Portuguese
Presidency on the discussions of the Pact.
6. The Schengen Area has
been confronted with various challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and over
the past years. We reiterate our wish to restore a normal functioning of the
Schengen area. A reform is therefore needed to ensure a resilient and
functional Schengen area. As emphasized by the Communication of the European
Commission “Towards a fully functional and efficient Schengen area”, this
reform should focus on strengthening external borders, through enhanced
surveillance and prevention of unauthorized border crossings, deepening
police and judicial cooperation and reinforcing the governance and political
steering of Schengen. The implementation of a new IT-architecture and the
growing role of FRONTEX at our external borders, the development and use of
innovative technologies and continued coordination on measures taken within
the Schengen area can further boost its resilience to be better prepared for
future crises.< /p>
7. Recalling the European
Union’s strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern
Mediterranean we, the Southern European countries, act as a pillar
of stability in this region by sharing the same approach with regard to these
challenges and the same vision about the region’s future. We wish to extend
our cooperation to all neighbouring countries. We call on all countries in
the region to respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all EU member
states, as well as international law, including the law of the sea. As set
out in relevant European Council Conclusions, as well as the Statement of the
Members of the European Council of 25th March 2021, it is
fundamental that Turkey unequivocally abides by the above stated principles
as well as that of good neighbourly relations and that it permanently
abstains from renewed provocations or unilateral actions in breach of
international law. We unde rline that the delimitation of the Continental Shelf
and the Exclusive Economic Zone should be addressed through dialogue and
negotiation in good faith, in full respect of international law, including
UNCLOS. We call on Turkey to accept the invitation by Cyprus to engage in
dialogue on the delimitation of the maritime zones between their relevant
coasts, including by submitting the issue to the International Court of
Justice.
We reiterate our strong
commitment to a viable comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue on
the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set
out in the relevant UNSC Resolutions, which are binding for all, and in line
with the EU acquis, values and principles. Efforts to resume negotiations
should not be further undermined by illegal and provocative behavior in the
maritime zones and on the territory of Cyprus. In case of such actions we
reaffirm the determination of the European Union to use the instruments and
options at its disposal to defend its interests and those of its member
states as well as to uphold regional stability. We deplore the position
expressed during the meeting on Cyprus held in Geneva on 27-29 April calling
for a “two state solution” and recall that it remains crucial that Turkey
commits to the agreed basis in line with UN Resolutions, in particular
Resolution 1251. We expr ess grave concern regarding violations in Varosha
and recall the importance of the status of Varosha as set out in United
Nations Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 550 (1984) and
resolution 789 (1992). We stress the importance of implementing these
resolutions and call for the immediate reversal of all violations.
8. The stability and prosperity
of North Africa is also a strategic priority, including to ensure the
stability of the whole Mediterranean region. We, the Southern European
countries, support EU engagement and reiterate our efforts to resolve the
ongoing crisis in Libya, in the framework of the UN-led Berlin Process. We
reaffirm the importance of holding elections on 24 December, as set out in
the Roadmap agreed upon by the Libyans to allow free and democratic
elections. In parallel, we call on all involved to fully implement the 23
October ceasefire agreement, including through the timely withdrawal of all
foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.
9. Based on the Council
Conclusions of 16 April 2021 on a Renewed Partnership with the
Southern Neighbourhood - A new Agenda for the Mediterranean, we reaffirm
our commitment to cooperate for the implementation of the new Agenda,
including through the reinforcement of the political dialogue at all levels
and by exploring the most proper use of funding mechanisms, with NDICI –
Global Europe as the key tool through an active role in the current
programming exercise. In this light, we look forward to the next Regional
Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean as well as to a new Ministerial
meeting with our Southern partners during the second semester of 2021. We
recall our continued support to the promotion of the role of women in society
and economy, sustainable opportunities for Youth as well as green transition
and the fight against climate change which is critical in the Mediterranean
region. In this respect, our contribution to the negotiation of new
instruments such as the carbon border adjustment mechanism, could contribute
to promote a consistent and ambitious EU climate policy addressing the issue
of climate change. We will continue to explore possibilities to commonly
address blue economy sustainability issues and step up our cooperation with
Southern Neighbours.
By working together, we build
on our vision for a stronger and more united Europe that upholds our
fundamental principles and values. As Southern EU member states, we call for
EU’s continued engagement in the Mediterranean, a region of strategic
importance to our Union’s prosperity, security and stability. We will
continue our coordination, in particular in view of the upcoming European
Councils and the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern
EU member states.
(MG)
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