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The Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, held in Barcelona on 27-28 November 1995, marked the starting point of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, also referred to as the 'Barcelona Process’, which is the main framework for political, economic, and social relations, as well as dialogue and regional co-operation, in the Mediterranean. Trade is an essential component of the Euromed Partnership, ultimately aiming to deepen regional integration in the Mediterranean region through the liberalisation and facilitation of trade, and to establish a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area by 2010.
At present Mediterranean countries constituted the least integrated region in the world in trade terms, and attract just over 1% of EU FDI. Trading routes have been under-utilised and geographical proximity and cultural heritage offer the potential for an ambitious and meaningful trade agreement.
On a bilateral level, every Mediterranean country involved in the Euromed Partnership (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey) has negotiated Association Agreements with the EU, although Syria’s has yet to be formally approved. The most significant development in this area is the Agadir Agreement between Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan. These Association Agreements already liberalise trade in industrial goods, and have addressed a number of non-tariff issues.
More information on the EU Mediterranean relationship can be found on the European Commissions' External relations website (see external links on right of this page).
Further Information:
Contact:
Response Centre
Tel:020 7215 5000
or :020 7215 6740 (Minicom)
Fax: 020 7215 0105
Please note that if you are looking for help with exporting from the UK to the Mediterranean countries you should contact UK Trade and Investment, the Government's advice service to exporters and inward investors (see related links on right hand side).
If you are looking for help on importing from the Mediterranean countries into the UK, please contact the export promotion agency of the country in which you reside, or for specific details on tariff and duty charges please contact HMRC - Revenue and Customs (see related links on right hand side).
