When underlining the important role of the UfM in addressing the challenges in the region today, Lithuania’s Foreign Vice-Minister drew attention to the need to apply various measures to deal with terrorism, extremism and illegal migration.
“Today’s challenges can be overcome only through the implementation of economic reforms, the strengthening of democratic institutions and the creation of pluralistic societies,” said Skusevičius, stressing the need to provide clear prospects for the people of the UfM through education, skills development, job creation and social inclusion.
According to Lithuania’s Foreign Vice-Minister, youth and women’s empowerment should receive special attention, because these population groups constitute the foundation of resistant, stable and peaceful societies.
The representative of Lithuania, the country elected to serve on UNESCO’s Executive Board for the 2015-2019 period, also emphasized the importance of intercultural and interreligious dialogue for the implementation of the guidelines for future activities of the UfM. Skusevičius emphasized not only the importance of effective practical cooperation, but also of a constructive political dialogue within the organization in order to contribute to international efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation in the region and resolving regional conflicts.
The Barcelona Process that began twenty-two years ago aims to develop the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. This partnership was strengthened in 2008 by the establishment of the UfM with its headquarters in Barcelona. The UfM comprises the 28 EU Member States and 15 Mediterranean countries.
