The European Parliament meeting today at the Brussels plenary session, adopted by a large majority Niccolò Rinaldi's (IdV, Italy) report on the EU's trade strategy in the Mediterranean following the Arab Spring. These political changes bring political and economic opportunity, stresses the rapporteur who recommends in exchange for democratisation, a trade advantage with southern Mediterranean countries.

The rapporteur Niccolò Rinaldi said: "Since the fall of the Wall, the EU has not seen at its borders such political transformation as important as the Arab Spring. The opportunity must be seized to put the project of a free-trade euro-Mediterranean zone back on track.  Although projected for 2010, this project has not been possible precisely because of the dictatorial regimes in the region as the absence of the rule of law is incompatible with the legal security required for such a project. "

"Certainly, since the launch of the Barcelona process, many association agreements have been concluded, but it took the democratic push of the Arab peoples for the EU to envisage going further. In this perspective, the European Commission's idea to grant additional trade benefits to those countries that make important progress on democracy and individual freedom is the best response. " This is urgent because the economic and social deterioration in these countries could compromise the first steps of democracy ".

"This strategy, called 'more for more', must now be converted into extensive Free Trade Agreements with pioneer countries of the Arab Spring, especially Tunisia and Egypt, in addition to Jordan and Morocco. Libya, which is so far not covered by any trade agreement with the EU, must be treated within this framework. It is high time that the High Representative make public the detailed criteria necessary to advance the situation. For my part, I urge clauses that use stronger terms on human rights and an ambitious chapter on sustainable development ".

"For the benefits of a free trade zone to affect the greatest number, it is imperative that concrete actions are undertaken to promote SMEs which are the motor of the local economy. This requires the EU's enhanced technical assistance to adapt production to European standards, an EIB support for microcredit programs, a focus on SME financing by the FEMIP, the fastest possible ratification of the extension of the EBRD mandate so that it is fully operational in the Mediterranean region, and more visa facilities for students and business leaders."

Niccolò Rinaldi's report is available at the following address: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&reference=PE-478.639&secondRef=02&language=FR