President Mas,
Secretary General Sijillmassi,
Ladies and Gentleman,

2011 was the most momentous year since the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe.
The overthrowing of authoritarian regimes across the Arab world over this past year has
changed the way we perceive the region. It has proved many, to be wrong. Those who
claimed that democracy can not take off in the Arab world. Most importantly it gave the
people in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen or other countries the power they deserve. This
happened suddenly, and we have to admit caught many of us by surprise. Revolutions
that were inspired by a grass root movement has rooted out dictatorships, demanding
for political, economic and social freedoms.

No one could have predicted the rapidity of change nor the consequences it presents for
relations with neighbouring countries. There is huge potential for transforming the
Mediterranean from an unequal partnership of rich, stable democracies in the North and
poor, dictatorships to the South into a new partnership of equals.

What started here in Barcelona in 1990, is now known as the Union for the
Mediterranean.

What started as a process to bring the two shores of the Mediterranen closer to each
other, now aims to promote common action for common interest.
All that is of course commendable, but in the last 12 months the Arab Spring changed
everything. The political, economic and social landscape of the region has completely
transformed and is still evolving.

The European Union invested heavily in its Eastern neighbours as they struggled to throw
off the yoke of their communist past and strive to adapt to the demands of EU
membership. We should be no less committed to our southern neighbours. My Group has
called for a comprehensibe package of support aimed at countries embarking on the
quest for more democracy. People on the streets of Tunis or Cairo want to see change
now. Euphoria of the revolution can soon be replaced by disilusionment. Therefore, we
in the European Union should not be complacent. We need a Marshall Plan for the
Southern Mediterranean.

A bilateral approach with each country, promoting 'more-for-more' principle, but with
one regional strategy. A strategy for building a Mediterranean Union.
Not a Union for the Mediterranean, but a Union of the Mediterranean
By building a Mediterranean Union we make a united effort for peace, democracy and
the rule of law in the region. And with it will come jobs, trade, growth. In short,
prosperity.

We have made mistakes in the past.

We should learn from them. We should not pay lip service to human rights and
fundamental freedoms.

We should respect the democratic and legitimate choice of the people in the Arab world
as expressed through elections. Islamic or secular, liberal or conservative, as long as
they stand for peace and provide long awaited change, we can and should work with
them.

Democracy cant come in a day. There shall be more upheavals before the objectives of
the Arab Sprong are achieved. But we need to persevere.
To do that we have to pursue three clear objectives.

First is to ensure the consolidation of democracy and reform.
Independent institutions, independent judiciary, representative parliamentarians holding
an elected government to account, a free press and a lively civil society able to express
itself and a population uninhibited by the State apparatus. Elections will produce
winners and losers but it is the respect for the Rule of Law and of minority opinion that
marks out a true democracy.

Second is delivering the dividens of democracy quick enough. The soft economic power
of the EU has already proven itself and can do so again in rewarding those Arab countries
that have chosen the path of democratic reform.

Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, assisting development of infrastructure,
supporting small businesses.

Let us not forget that it was the basic desire to earn an honest living that led the young
Tunisian fruit seller, Mohammed Bouazizi, to set himself on fire in front of the local
administration out of desperation and protest and in so doing spark a revolution across
the Arab world.

Lets be honest, we in the European Union have a vested interest in the Arab Spring
bearing fruit. If it fails, the repercussions will be catastrophic not only for the stability
of the countries comcerned but also pose a major threat to the relatively affluent
countries of the EU.

Third is not forgetting the big picture. An aggressive boost in bilateral relations, the
implementation of 'more for more' principle, but always keeping in mind that by this we
are building a Mediterranean Union.

A Union of peace, democracy and prosperity.

Today, I also want to remind us all of the human catastrophe unfolding in Syria. Bashir
Al-Asaad continues slaughtering his own people and we have yet to deliver a meaningful
response for the crimes he is committing towards his own people. At this moment, in
this conference we are united in support for all those Syrians that are fighting for their
right to have a better, just and free life. The Friends of Syria Contact Group will meet
again soon, they know what has to be done. It is very late, but they can still save many
lives. We need humanitarian corridors, safe zones and assistance to the Free Syrian
Army. When dictator wages a war against his own people, we can not be passive
observers. We have to act now.

Ladies and Gentleman,

Allow me to thank all our partners of Convergencia, ELDR, LI, FNS, and most of all to all
our distinguished arab friends that have joined this conference today. I am confident
that this conference will be an important contribution to the agenda of freedom and
democracy in the Arab world.