May 11^th - 14^th, 2012 

The 32nd EUROMED Information and Training Seminar for Diplomats

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1. A group photo at the opening of the EUROMED Conference. 2. Hon. Dr. Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minsiter of Foreign Affairs of Malta addressing the EUROMED Conference.

Confidence Building and Networking in the Mediterranean The thirty-second Euro-Mediterranean Information and Training Seminar took place in Malta between May 11th - 14th 2012. The four days of proceedings provided a unique opportunity to reflect upon and discuss openly the historic transformation that has swept across the southern Mediterranean throughout the past eighteen months. The Seminar focused on recent developments in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, now referred to as the Union for the Mediterranean. Particular attention was dedicated to identifying the progress registered in implementation of the Union for the Mediterranean agenda and EU policy decisions towards the Mediterranean since commencement of the ‘Arab Spring’. This Euro-Mediterranean Seminar is brought together diplomats from the majority of the twenty-seven European Union member states and the Mediterranean Partner countries that signed the Barcelona Declaration in November 1995 and Union for the Mediterranean partner states, including for the first time participants from Libya. The Seminar is organized by the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies of the University of Malta under the auspices of the European External Action Service who assist in coordinating this official Euro-Mediterranean confidence building initiative. Throughout the four-day seminar academic specialists and other professionals from Europe and the Mediterranean presented a series of lectures on developments pertaining to political, security, economic, financial, and the socio- cultural and human dimensions of contemporary Euro-Mediterranean relations. Participants were also able to take part in a simulation exercise that focused on recent EU policy decisions towards the Mediterranean. Specific attention was dedicated to topics that include: Perspectives and Prospects for Political Change in the Mediterranean; An Evaluation of progress registered to date when it comes to political reforms as a result of the upheavals in the Arab world; will also take place. An Assessment of the main Economic Challenges in the Mediterranean; the Challenge of Energy Security; and the Role of Civil Society in the transformation of the Euro-Mediterranean region was also discussed. The Euro-Mediterranean Information and Training meeting for diplomats, or Malta Seminar as the distinguished gatherings have become more commonly known, was addressed on Friday, May 11th 2012 by the Hon. Dr. Tonio Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta. Dr. Borg emphasized the important role that Malta has consistently been playing as a champion of confidence building mechanisms in the Mediterranean, including the Euro-Mediterranean Information and Training Seminar for diplomats that has been taking place since October 1996.  Further information on the Euro-Mediterranean Seminars can be found at www.euromed-seminars.org.mt

On the 25th of April 2012, the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) inaugurated the launch of its latest book, entitled Change and Opportunities in the Emerging Mediterranean, co-edited by Prof. Calleya and Dr. Wohlfeld. The book launch took place at the University of Malta and was held under the auspices of the Chancellor of the University of Malta, Professor David Attard. Present were students from various faculties of the University of Malta along with a number of academics.

The book seeks to evaluate the causes, implications, needs and opportunities as a result of events which unfolded across the MENA region last year. It includes contributions from a broad array of academics and policy-makers from both shores of the Mediterranean, who propose insights on ways of promoting a more stable and prosperous future in the region, based on common values and understanding. More specifically, the book tackles issues such as the challenges of good governance, political and economic perspectives, the role of civil society, lessons learnt from other regions of the EU Neighbourhood and the EU’s response to challenges in the emerging Mediterranean. 

The book reinforces MEDAC’s aim of promoting dialogue and co-operation in the Mediterranean. MEDAC is an institution of higher learning offering advanced degrees in diplomacy and conflict resolution with a focus on Mediterranean issues. MEDAC was founded in 1990, with more than 500 students hailing from 53 different countries having studied at the Academy since its launch.

The book entitled Change and Opportunities in the Emerging Mediterranean can be accessed free of charge at http://www.um.edu.mt/medac/publications.

At the invitation of the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Michael Frendo, MEDAC Master of Diplomacy students had the privilege of attending a public lecture by Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert, President of the German Parliament during his visit to Malta on the 17th of April 2012 at the Palace, Valletta. The event was chaired by Dr. Monika Wohlfeld, Holder of the German Chair in Peace and Conflict Prevention and Lecturer in Security Studies at MEDAC.

In the presence of a number of distinguished guests, including the Honourable Speaker, members of the Diplomatic Corps, President Emeritus Dr. Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, former Speakers, Members of Parliament, members of the Ombudsman, and a number of academics, Prof Lammert investigated the role of Parliaments against the backdrop of the financial and debt crisis that the European Union is currently facing.

Prof. Lammert, speaking in his capacity as the President of the German Parliament but also as an academic, argued that the time was ripe for enhancing and consolidating the role of Parliaments in view of decision-making, both on a national level, but especially at an EU level. Making reference to the German Parliament and decisions taken during the last year in his home country, Prof. Lammert explained how Germany had taken steps in strengthening the role of the German Parliament  vis-a-vis decisions dealing with EU fiscal policies.  Acknowledging that every society has its own political system which determines the extent of power given to Government in relation to Parliament, Prof. Lammert claimed that irrespective of this fact, the rise of the role of Parliaments in the decision making process should be a prerequisite for all EU Member States, especially in view of globalisation. 

Dr. Monika Wohlfeld acted as rapporteur at the local Association of Former Members of Parliament seminar on’ The Democratic Process in the Mediterranean and the Middle East’, held on 2^nd March 2012. The report of the seminar, which was held under the auspices of the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Michael Frendo, with two other keynote presentations from two members of the European Parliament, Dr. Simon Busutill MEP and Professor Edward Scicluna MEP, will be used as a working document during the European Colloquy convened by the European Association of Former Parliamentarians in Malta in November 2012.

MEDAC’s Master of Diplomacy students participated in a MEDAC-ZEI Winter Academy, which took place in Bonn, Germany. This third such study visit, funded by German Foreign Ministry, was organized with the Centre for European Integration Studies of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University in Bonn. The students were welcomed by Prof. Ludger Kuehnardt, Director ZEI, the German Chair at MEDAC and a representative of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The keynote address on ‘The Meaning of Freedom and the Future of the European Union’ was delivered by Tunne Kelam, MEP. Further keynote presentations on recent changes and developments in the Maghreb region - German reflections and policies, by Ms Barbara Wolf, Director of the Broader Middle East and North Africa and Euromed Division of the German Foreign Ministry, and on Malta in the EU and the Arab Spring, by Mr Karl Xuereb, Ambassador of Malta to the Federal Republic of Germany, provided ample material for discussions.

MEDAC students and staff took part in a panel discussion at Deutsche Welle with Bonn Master of European Studies students on the topic ‘Europe – an ever closer Union in view of growing global challenges?’, with Dr. Falkowski, former EU Ambassador. Students from MEDAC and ZEI provided short remarks on selected issues in response to the presentation.

A discussion with a representative of the German Ministry of Defense on German security and defense policy, an NGO representative on energy change in Germany and implications for neighbouring regions, a visit to the UN in Bonn, during which UN speakers introduced inter alia the UN Volunteers activities in conflict situations, as well as cultural activities rounded up the visit. Finally, a full day program of presentations and discussions was prepared for the MEDAC group at the European Central bank in Frankfurt.

The study visit constituted a part of the academic programme for the Master of Diplomacy students.

H.E. Dr. Petra Maria Schneebauer, Ambassador of Austria, visited the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, University of Malta, on December 14^th 2011 and met with the Director of MEDAC, Prof. S. Calleya and Dr. Omar Grech.