Labour market performance and migration flows - European ...

Chapter IIIEU Migration Policy towards Arab Mediterranean Countries and its Impact on their Labour Marketsavailable. In the following section, we will assess to what extent the present conjunction of EMP(as multilateral track) and ENP (as a bilateral scheme) incorporates the Global Approach toMigration’s objectives in a more systematic way than in the previous EMP era, and could therebypave the way for a more proactive cooperation in the Euro-Arab Mediterranean space.3.1 The Barcelona Process (1995-2005)Launched in 1995, the Barcelona Process provided for an institutional framework for multilateralcooperation between the EU and its Mediterranean neighbours with a view to creating a commonspace of “prosperity, stability and security”. Through the Barcelona Declaration, partnersproclaimed their commitment to a free-market economy and to democratic governance around theMediterranean basin. The objective aiming at the establishment of a zone of peace, prosperity andstability in the Mediterranean region without any prospect of formal EU membership wasemphasised. In order to meet those far reaching objectives, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnershipwas implemented through a limited number of regional programmes and through the AssociationAgreements concluded between the EU and each of the Mediterranean Partner Countries involvedin the Barcelona Process (among them, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Palestine Lebanon andJordan). 187 In the Barcelona Declaration establishing the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership,migration was only mentioned in the chapter on the “Partnership in Social, Cultural and HumanAffairs” 188 in the following terms:“They acknowledge the importance of the role played by migration in their relationships. Theyagree to strengthen their cooperation to reduce migratory pressures, among other things throughvocational training programmes and programmes of assistance for job creation. They undertake toguarantee protection of all the rights recognized under existing legislation of migrants legallyresident in their respective territories.In the area of illegal immigration the decide to establish closer cooperation. In this context, thepartners, aware of their responsibility for readmission, agree to adopt the relevant provisions andmeasures, by means of bilateral means or arrangements, in order to readmit their nationals who arein an illegal situation”.3.1.1 The Euro-Med Partnership’s objectivesEach of the Euro-Mediterranean Association agreements concluded in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean Partnership relies on three pillars: political cooperation and security, economic andfinancial cooperation, and cooperation in the field of human and social affairs and culture. Accordingto the EMAA’s aims, a free-trade area between partners should be established over a transitionalperiod of twelve years. This economic “negative” 189 integration process would imply free trade inindustrial goods and the progressive liberalisation of trade in agricultural products as well as the futureliberalisation of trade and services.187 We note that until now no EU-Syria Association Agreement has come into force.188 According to the Barcelona Declaration, the partners agreed to establish a partnership in social, cultural and human affairs with a view to bringing peoples closer together, promotingunderstanding between them and improving their perception of each other. This partnership is based on the delicate compromise between, on the one hand, the existence, recognition andmutual respect of diverse traditions, cultures and civilisations throughout the Mediterranean and, on the other hand, the promotion of common roots: to this end, the Barcelona Declarationand its work programme emphasise: the importance of intercultural dialogue, and of dialogues between religions; the importance of the role the media can play in the reciprocal recognitionand understanding of cultures; the development of human resources in the area of culture: cultural exchanges, knowledge of other languages, implementation of educational and culturalprograms that respect cultural identities; the importance of health and social development and respect for fundamental social rights; the essential contribution civil society can make to theEuro-Mediterranean partnership and the need to strengthen the instruments of decentralized cooperation to encourage exchanges between those active in development; cooperation in thefield of illegal immigration, the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking, international crime and corruption.189 Negative because it implies removal of trade obstacles.187