Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Conference – Presidency press conference – EU press release/Non-UN document

Presidency Press Conference at Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Conference

The President of the Council of Ministers, Foreign Minister George Papandreou today (27/5) described the “ray of hope” emerging for the implementation of the roadmap and the course of the Middle East peace process as a milestone for the EUROMED Mid-Term Ministerial Conference in Crete.

“The roadmap helps us overcome the inertia and move along the road to peace,” Papandreou said at a Presidency press conference. He also stressed the need for political will on all sides for the implementation of the plan.

The conference, which ended today in Chersonissos, was described by both the EU and Arab countries as “important and constructive”.

“We reviewed the progress of our work so far and had the opportunity to discuss future developments in light of the enlargement of the EU,” said Papandreou, who referred in particular to the ‘new neighbourhood’ policy.

“After the enlargement, the EU will not be more inward-looking. We are not building new walls, but rather new bridges to our new neighbours. As a community of values, we want to broaden our common values in a larger circle of friends,” Papandreou said.

Ref: CL03-199EN

EU source: Council

UN forum: 

Date: 27/5/2003