John Austin

Labour Party | Erith and Thamesmead

Europe -Maghreb Relations

I wish to congratulate Madame Durrieu on this informative report.  I welcome its emphasis on the need for closer  co-operation with the Maghreb countries.  The importance of building good relations between Europe and the Maghreb countries is recognised in the UK by both the Government and Parliament.  In addition to the inter-governmental co-operation Parliament is forging links.

Next month, the UK Parliament, through the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, will be welcoming an official Parliamentary delegation from Algeria and a cross-party delegation of British MPs will be visiting Tunisia at the invitation of their National Assembly.

Madame Durrieu’s report comments on the encouraging progress of reforms in the Maghreb countries and the improvements that have been achieved in the democratic process and human rights.  It is right that we acknowledge the great steps forward but we should also recognise that there are still obstacles to public and political freedom of expression and association.

The report does refer to the threat to the stability of these countries posed by extremist and terrorist groups.  A threat which is as real for the Maghreb as it is for Europe.  But Madame Durrieu is right to point out that the region is characterised by moderate Islam.  In that respect I would draw the Assembly’s attention to the developments in Morocco, which has introduced female preachers, know as Mourchidat, a radical innovation in the Islamic world. I believe they are the first women in any Muslim country who can perform many of the functions of a male Imam in the Mosque.

The UK sees the Barcelona process – the Euro-Med partnership, along with the European Neighbourhood Policy, as the key instruments for EU engagement with North Africa and the Near Middle East in promoting stability, security and prosperity in the region.

But this report is about wider co-operation of Europe, beyond the EU, with the Maghreb. The Barcelona Process has established an institutional partnership between some southern Mediterranean countries and the EU but does not unite all of the Mediterranean countries.  It is in this context that I wish to draw the Assembly’s attention to the parliamentary co-operation that has been stimulated by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.  For years the Committee on Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean met during the Assemblies of the IPU.  It comprised one representative from each Mediterranean country with observers from other countries such as the UK, Germany and Russia.

But in 2005, largely at the initiative of Madame Durrieu’s fellow parliamentarian Monsieur Rudy Salles, the CSCM was transformed into a Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean which was inaugurated in 2006 and comprises 5 delegates from each Mediterranean country plus Jordan.  This Assembly is the only forum when all Mediterranean countries come together to discuss issues of common concern and I would urge closer co-operation between the Council of Europe and this Mediterranean Assembly.

The relationship between Europe and the Maghreb is not an equal one and the southern states have yet to see major benefits coming from the Barcelona process and there has been little opportunity for the Arab states to improve their trade balances with the EU.  All the Maghreb states are in need of inward investment.

I want to refer to yesterday’s debates about climate change and earlier debates about security of energy supplies. The Europe is a rapidly growing energy market, while the Maghreb has significant unexploited energy potential, through resources such as wind and sun.  There is a tremendous opportunity for investment in renewable energy supplies in the Maghreb, investment which would benefit the Maghreb but also provide clean energy for Europe.

Another possible area of co-operation is in tackling trafficking in human beings.  Not only is it important for all countries of Europe to sign and ratify the Convention but it is open to countries outside, such as the Maghreb, to sign up too.

* This speech may have been delivered with minor alterations