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Brief description The Union for the Mediterranean had been institutionalized by the Ministerial Summit, held in Marseille, France in 2008. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs decided to establish a Co-Presidency, a Joint Permanent Committee (comprised of diplomats from all member states) and a Secretariat. There is also a group of Senior Officials (mandated by the Foreign Ministers), who prepare the Ministerial Summits. The Ministerial Summits, along with the Senior Officials, undertake the necessary preparations for the bi-annual Summits of Heads of State and Government. The states around the Mediterranean have achieved (through the Union and with the participation of the entire European Union) a reasonable minimum of political stability, freedom and pluralism. As they seek to enhance what has already been achieved, they also try to coordinate their policies in order to implement a sound macro-economic policy, which could inspire confidence among both domestic and foreign investors. Moreover, the Union focuses on protecting the environment and the maritime passages. Last but not least, the Union for the Mediterranean promotes the intercultural dialogue and seeks to strengthen the network of inter-state relations of civil societies. From a more technical aspect, in a Ministerial Summit, each member state has one representative and one vote. The Council formed by the Ministers is being moderated by an Honorary President and the two Co-Presidents. Apart from the Ministers, the Council join observers (with debating and not voting rights) from neighboring states and IGOs and NGOs, depending on the issue at hand; Libya being a permanent observer. Summit Meetings are summoned whenever issues of vital importance have to be addressed. Items discussed and decisions taken at meetings of the Council cover all aspects of the Union's activities and are frequently based on reports and recommendations prepared by subordinate committees at the Council's request. Equally, subjects may be raised by any one of the national representatives or by the Co-Presidents. Ministers inform and explain the views and policy decisions of their governments to their colleagues round the table. Conversely they report back to their governments on the views expressed and positions taken by other governments, informing them of new developments and keeping them abreast of movement towards consensus on important issues or areas where national positions diverge. Decisions are being made under Unanimity and Common Accord. Agenda Topic Area A: Euro-Mediterranean Co-operation on Sustainable Energy Developing and Implementing New Strategies in the Framework of the "EUROMED Energy Action Plan 2008-2013" The EUROMED Energy Action Plan for 2008-2013 describes the actions that need to be taken in order to achieve three goals: the convergence of energy policy, the common initiatives on research and development and the promotion of sustainable energy. The latter will be the main issue under discussion, concenring the first topic in the agenda of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Summit. The member-states of the Union for the Mediterranean have to become more energetic on various fields of action and thus, the representatives of all states will have to elaborate on specific strategies in order to fulfill the aforementioned goal.Topic Area B: Maritime Safety Living in the Mediterranean - Enhancing Co-operation - Facing the Challenges As the sub-title of the subject reveals, the issue under consideration for the second topic area of the agenda of the Ministerial Summit is the enhancement of co-operation in order to face the challenges of the maritime safety. The member-states of the Union for the Mediterranean acknowledge and respect the fact that the Mediterranean Sea is the place that we all have to live; with peace and stability being the best way to do it. The representatives of the member-states will have not only to upgrade the levels the already existing co-operation, but also to find a way in order to converge their policies (mainly those that are particularly distant from the desired goals). Moreover, they will have to decide upon an action plan, which will provide the necessary and severe responses against any threat and violation (ranging from the various forms of piracy to the particularly important issue of environmental pollution). Board President: Nikolaos MERTZANIDIS Co-President (The High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission of the European Union): Vasilis PALIGIANNIS Co-President (Tunisia): Zafeiris TSIFTZIS Countries Matrix The Countries Matrix provides you with all the participating states and organizations to the simulation and let's you know which of them are still not assigned to a participant.
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