Concluding the Fourth Meeting of the Parliaments of the countries of the Western Mediterranean Forum – 5+5 Dialogue
Nouakchott, Mauritania, 15th April 2013
We, the Representatives of the Parliaments of the countries of the Western Mediterranean Forum (5+5 Dialogue), meeting in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on 15 April 2013, at the invitation of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritania, organized with the assistance of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, and with the participation, as observers, of representatives from the Arab Parliament, the Maghreb Consultative Council, the Arab Inter-parliamentary Union and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean:
ACKNOWLEDGING that the peoples on both shores of the Mediterranean share a common cultural heritage, which continues to unite them in their desire to live peacefully and prosperously alongside one another in societies based on fundamental democratic principles, observance of the rule of law and social equity;
REAFFIRMING that the 5+5 Dialogue, as a sub-regional model of North-South partnership, represents a fundamental instrument for the consolidation of the complementariness and solidarity among the two shores of the Western Mediterranean;
WELCOMING the renewed interest by the Governments in the Parliamentary Dimension of the 5+5 Dialogue, as confirmed by the participation, on our behalf, of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean at the Foreign Ministerial meeting held in Rome on 20 February 2012 and at the Second Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Western Mediterranean Forum, on 5-6 October 2012 in Malta;
RECALLING the Malta Declaration inviting Parliamentarians from all the 5+5 Dialogue States, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, to develop a fruitful dialogue and achieve the objectives and priorities established by the Western Mediterranean Forum;
CONVINCED that representative democracies and parliaments are best placed to respond to political and economic challenges, and to prevent divisions emerging between leaders and citizens;
HAVING discussed and exchanged views in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity on how inter-parliamentary cooperation can contribute to the international efforts mobilized to face the current challenges of the Western Mediterranean, as well as on ways to enhance dialogue, create constructive regional cooperation and deepen integration;
We DECLARE the following:
The 5+5 Dialogue is a relevant and complementary forum for enhanced dialogue and regional integration within the wider Mediterranean framework of cooperation;
The Parliamentary Dimension of the 5+5 Dialogue plays a pivotal role in furthering the cooperation required among the countries of the Western Mediterranean Forum to strengthen democratic institutions and deepening integration to make the region less vulnerable to instability;
More specifically, enhanced political dialogue and Parliamentary cooperation will bring the elected representatives of Western Mediterranean people’s closer together in the interest of developing coherent approaches in relation to the issues falling within their mandates, namely:
- Political Dialogue – there is a growing need for wider regional cooperation among civil and institutional partners leading to deeper mutual understanding. In this context, the national Parliaments of the countries of the Western Mediterranean Forum should make support for democracies in transition in the Mediterranean a priority;
- Regional Security and Stability – collective security and stability in the West Mediterranean are essential to fighting terrorism and facing other threats;
- Economic and Social Issues – social stability and economic development need to be consolidated through shared prosperity, job creation, vocational training, dedicated financial instruments, integrated infrastructures, dynamic SMEs, regional trade, and reduction of social disparities;
- Education and Youth – education needs to be improved to develop the potential of young people and enhance the status of women, which are a driving force for socio-economic development and prosperity in the West Mediterranean;
- Migration – well managed and properly assisted migratory flows will combat human trafficking and lead to a win-win situation transforming migrants into an asset for development both in the countries of origin and destination;
- Global issues – protection of the environment requires a progressive shift away from dependence on fossil fuels to alternative renewable and sustainable energy, which should be fostered through an integrated regional approach to guarantee the most effective use of natural resources;
Deeply concerned by the protracted bloodshed in Syria, we call on the Governments of the wider Mediterranean region and the Secretary General of the United Nations to further increase their efforts to find a political solution that respects the territorial integrity, national unity and the safety of the people of Syria. In this regard, we support the initiative of parliamentary diplomacy, launched by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean at the request of the UN, calling on the members of the Syrian Parliament to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all the victims of the conflict, whether as internally displaced persons in Syria or as refugees in the neighboring countries, which deserve our solidarity, namely Jordan.
In the context of the Middle-East Peace Process, we call on the parties to resume the negotiations to achieve the Two States solution, for the Israeli and Palestinian people to live side by side, in peace and security, in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions.
We further note the progress achieved in the crisis that has affected Mali, and support international efforts aimed at consolidating the rule of law and stability throughout the country. Aware of the possible spillover of the crisis into neighboring countries and beyond, we will monitor the situation and encourage regional efforts to address the root causes and combat terrorism in the region.
At the closing of this meeting, we wish to thank the Parliaments of Mauritania and Italy for their co-presidency of the parliamentary dimension of the 5+5 Dialogue and express our renewed commitment to this process, which, in the coming months, is to be co-chaired by Mauritania and Portugal.
The assistance provided by the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean in implementing initiatives to exchange information, creates a constructive environment for regional parliamentary dialogue, as does its participation in and reporting on the governmental meetings of the Western Mediterranean Forum, which is welcomed and appreciated by the Parliamentary Representatives of the countries of the Western Mediterranean Forum attending.
FINALLY, we extend our most sincere thanks to the Hon. Messoud Ould Boulkheir, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritania, his Parliament and the people of Mauritania for their warm hospitality and excellent organization, which further strengthens Mauritania’s commitment to promoting dialogue and regional understanding.