The Mediterranean is a meeting point for a large number of cultures, for whom cooperation in economic and social dimensions constitutes an important tool for development. In this context, the Barcelona Process, which took place in 1995, marked the establishment of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, which in turn led to the creation of the Union for the Mediterranean.
In commemoration of the Barcelona Process, which laid the foundations for strengthening cooperation in the European area, and particularly in the Mediterranean, the Day of the Mediterranean is celebrated every year on November 28.
It is worth noting that the Union for the Mediterranean, which established the aforementioned initiative, is an intergovernmental institution, in which not only the countries of the European Union participate, but also 15 countries from the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean, aiming to promote dialogue and cooperation. More specifically, in addition to the 27 EU countries, the following participate in the Union for the Mediterranean: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey.
Some of these countries are now candidate or potential candidate countries for accession to the EU, while others have priorities or action plans in the context of bilateral cooperation through the European Neighborhood Policy.
With the contribution of the Union for the Mediterranean, regional projects have been launched concerning sectors such as the economy, environment, energy and migration.
Source: Day of the Mediterranean, EUR-Lex
