Migration: real cooperation inside the EU and with third countries urgently needed

The Political Committee of the Union for the Mediterranean met in Lisbon for its 11th plenary session of the UfM Parliamentary Assembly. During the meeting, a Recommendation on regional crises and wars, migration, terrorism and the promotion of human rights was adopted by the representatives of 38 countries from the EU and its Mediterranean partners.

EPP GROUP initiative fOR a EuroMed Charter oF fundamental rights

All the amendments presented by EPP Group Vice-Chairwoman Mariya Gabriel, responsible for Mediterranean policy, Tokia Saïfi, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group Working Group on the Mediterranean, and Esteban Gonzáles Pons, EPP Group Vice-Chairman, were adopted unanimously. The amendments focused on the promotion of fundamental rights and the role of the parliaments in this respect, dialogue and culture as tools for peace, issues on migration, terrorism and the role of women in society, as well as the building of an internet-based parliamentary network on the Mediterranean and to push forward the EPP Group's initiative for promoting a EuroMed Charter of Fundamental Rights.

It is the responsibility of the Members of national parliaments and of the European Parliament to promote and protect fundamental rights by adopting the necessary legislation or by promoting deep and effective dialogue. Fernando Ruas

Fernando Ruas MEP explained during the meeting that "it is the responsibility of the Members of national parliaments and of the European Parliament to promote and protect fundamental rights by adopting the necessary legislation or by promoting deep and effective dialogue". He stressed the need to have "real cooperation inside the EU and with third countries on the urgent issue of migration."