Close Up
1st Euro-Arab Dialogue Forum, a new instrument to reinforce Euro-Arab relations
The first Euro-Arab Dialogue Forum was held at the Institute of the Arab world headquarters in Paris on 26 and 27 April. This meeting, placed under the patronage of President Jacques Chirac of France, was organised by the League of Arab states, the European Commission, The Union of Arab C.C.I.A, the Franco-Arab Chamber of Commerce (CCFA) and the joint Euro-Arab Chambers of Commerce.
Centred around the theme « Prospects and Contents of an Euro-Arab Strategic Partnership », the Forum's fourteen workshops stayed close to Arab and European expectations and common interests, be they political, economical, social or cultural. In order to do this, topics and speakers were carefully chosen from the public authorities, the private sector, NGOs and Arab and European society.
Seven hundred Arabs and Europeans from political, economical and institutional backgrounds took part in various debates concerning world change and how it affects Europe and the Arab world. They also exchanged ideas about various other topics, among which: how the Arab and European media portray the « Others »; Euro-Arab cooperation mechanisms in the knowledge economy; future Euro-Arab relations; how common knowledge can strengthen the ties between civilisations; Euro-Arab cooperation in the energy field; the part the private sector plays in supporting social development, education and development policies; how Europeans of Arab origin play a role in consolidating cooperation between both sides; and finally non-governmental cooperation experiences.
At the inaugural meeting, the French Foreign Affairs Minister, Philippe Douste-Blazy, underlined the « danger of a double standard of western policies » on matters concerning the Arab world, and deplored « the clash of ignorance ». « Better understanding leads to greater respect ». As for Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League, he deplored the « battle launched against Islam » and expressed the opinion that self-criticism was needed on both sides: a culture of dialogue has to be encouraged. Adnan Kassar, President of the UACCIA believes that the partnership between both regions is « in the nature of things » and that « the realisation of the Arab Common Market (…) must ensure that the Arab and European economies are complementary » and hopes to turn the Mediterranean area into a « zone of shared profit ». Finally, Dr. Saleh Al Tayar, Secretary General of the CCFA, reminded the participants of « the increasing importance of the business world in encouraging a Euro-Arab dialogue. »
The highlight of the Forum was the adoption of « The Paris Declaration », whose main content is the confirmation of the following points: the need to turn the Forum into a permanent tool that can be used to support the existing partnership instruments between the EU and the Arab world; the need to keep alive the dialogue between both civilisations; the importance of people's right to self-determination; the importance of fighting religious discrimination; the need to make the Middle-East a WMD-free zone; the fight against terrorism; the importance of the reform and of the modernisation process currently taking place in the Arab World; the need to nurture reciprocal investments and to liberalise exchange; the danger of « the North-South gap in knowledge economy ». Finally it was decided by the participants that the second Forum would be held in Riyadh, at the headquarters King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Centre, as suggested by king Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
The aim of this Forum was to encourage broad exchanges of viewpoints, a « special dialogue », « beyond political mumbo jumbo and events which weaken and sometimes hurt Euro-Arab relations ». With high quality speakers, varied themes and an excellent organisation, it achieved its aims. There was, however, a negative point.
The only and, unfortunately, massive hitch came from the European side, because incredible as it may seem, the second main protagonist, the EU, was absent. From the first day, the organisers could scarcely hide their surprise, anger, and disappointment. The « Europeans' absence and lack of involvement » was deplored and was included in the final declaration which mentions the European Commission's « unjustified absence ». Amre Moussa invited the EU to work as a closer partner in the Euro-Arab dialogue. Let's hope it heard this voice of reason... How indeed do you dialogue if your interlocutor is indifferent?
-- Carole Lager
Translated into English by Marguerite Cornu, Research Assistant trainee
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- Origin CERMAM
- http://www.cermam.org/en/logs/zoom/1st_euroarab_dialogue_forum_a/
- Publié le 7 July 2006