On 22 October 2020, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) contributed to the 16th meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Western Mediterranean 5 + 5 Dialogue. The event, hosted by Tunisia, was held by videoconference under the Co-Chairmanship of Malta and Tunisia.
This year, the Ministerial conference focused on the theme “Together for collective security and partnership in the Western Mediterranean basin”, and coincided with the 30th anniversary of the 5 + 5 Dialogue. The Forum brings together the 10 countries from the two shores of the Mediterranean Sea in its western region.
PAM is responsible for the Parliamentary dimension of the Forum. PAM President Emeritus, Hon. Pedro Roque, delivered a statement on behalf of the Parliaments of the 5+5, following a round of bilateral preparatory consultations.
In his statement, he highlighted several key security priorities. He emphasised the urgent need for a political solution in Libya, which PAM is ready to support with a parliamentary track of dialogue, as well as a need by all countries to respect the UN arms embargo.
He expressed concern for rampant terrorist activity in the Sahel, and called for a Marshal Plan for the region that would combine both security and development, and address the issue of migration in the long term. Economic growth and development are key factors in the security and stability of the Euro-Mediterranean region, especially in dealing with the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis.
Hon. Roque further stressed that a solution to the Syrian crisis and the achievement of a Two-State solution for Israel and Palestine are essential for the global security.
In their final Declaration, the Ministers recalled and encouraged the role of national Parliaments, as well as that of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, in contributing to collective security through parliamentary diplomacy.
Reaffirming their conviction in sharing a common destiny, the Ministers renewed their attachment to the values of democracy, solidarity and cooperation. They affirmed that the process of the 5 + 5 Dialogue in the Western Mediterranean contributes, in a very significant way, to the strengthening of mutual trust and cooperation between their countries.
PAM shall work closely with the incoming Spanish Co-Chairmanship of the 5+5, as well as with the other countries of Forum, to ensure synergy between the parliamentary dimension and the intergovernmental activities of the process.