The 3rd Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) kicked off on Monday 8/10/2018 at the level of the member states' ministers of foreign affairs.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shokry and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit are among the participants.

The forum that gathers Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the UfM Member States, is co-chaired by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi.

Participants are expected to review the UfM achievements during the past 10 years; they will discuss the potential of organization under current challenges and opportunities while celebrating the tenth anniversary of establishing the UfM.

The UfM includes 43 countries, including the European Union, as well as the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean countries, with the aim of achieving mutual interests at all levels, meeting common challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean region, achieving economic and social development in the southern Mediterranean countries and revitalizing the dialogue among Member States.

Activities

Sunday 7/10/2018

Monday 8/10/2018

Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Nasser Kamel inaugurated the 3rd edition of the Regional Forum to discuss aspects of support and integration among the main beneficiaries in the region. In his speech, Kamel asserted the importance of efforts exerted by the European Commission to create business opportunities to achieve economic development in the Mediterranean region. It is important to provide job opportunities, Kamel said, adding that there are a lot of unemployed people in the Euro-Mediterranean zone. This forum will focus on the UfM Med4jobs initiative that is an integrated approach that tackles the supply and demand sides of the labor market by targeting three core issues, namely employment, job inter mediation and business-enabling infrastructure, he said.

The Foreign Minister met with his Spanish counterpart Josep Borrell to exchange views on fostering cooperation between Cairo and Madrid at all levels.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also held a meeting with Mauritanian Foreign Minister Ould Cheikh Ahmed, that tackled bilateral ties and coordinating stances towards issues of common interest.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with his Maltese counterpart Carmelo Abela boosting bilateral relations as well as coordination on a host of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The meeting came on the sidelines of the the third Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in Barcelona.
Shoukry: Mediterranean faces many challenges hindering regional cooperation

Tuesday 9/10/2018

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit said that regional powers neighboring the Arab world should stop interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries,  adding that these powers should go out from the Arab territories as their presence is complicating relations between the Arab countries and their neighboring countries. These neighboring countries are Islamic powers that should not meddle into the Arab affairs as they do now, he pointed out.