“After the Arab Spring we must strengthen Civil Society in the countries south of the Mediterranean. The democratic transition can only be successful with an active and engaged Civil Society working in partnership with the elected public authorities”, said EMI President Jo Leinen ahead of the third EMI South-North Mediterranean Dialogue meeting of Civil Society Organisations on 7-9 June 2012 in Tunis.

“Solidarity between the regions around the Mediterranean must be the basis for future cooperation, but it cannot be just a top down elite project. It must be built on participation from the bottom up”, said Jo Leinen.

“Civil Society needs a system of good governance with a democratic fundament. The European Movement will help Civil Society in the Mediterranean and supports their cause in striving for their freedom and rights”, added President Jo Leinen.

The South-North Mediterranean Dialogue brings together civil society actors and public authorities across the countries of the Mediterranean, from Egypt to Morocco. Its objective is to contribute to an enhanced dialogue between civil society and public authorities in order to deepen their collaboration in the Euro-Mediterranean area.
Background:

The first Mediterranean Congress took place in February 2006 in Algiers, followed by the Alicante Congress in November 2009 on Education and Migration. The meeting in Tunis on 7-9 June 2012 is the next development step of the South-North Mediterranean Dialogue.
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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

For more information, please contact the secretariat: +32 (0)2 508 30 88, email: Opens window for sending emailsecretariat(at)europeanmovement.eu