It is a privilege and a distinct honour for Egypt to join France as the co-president of the French-led Mediterranean Union. The launch of the Mediterranean body is a most important historic event. Egypt has emerged as one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the new Mediterranean group. It is no secret that many countries south of the Mediterranean have expressed grave reservations about the notion of a French-led Mediterranean political and economic grouping. Egypt has no such reservations. Egypt's active participation in such a body would most certainly add weight to the French-inspired union which French President Nicolas Sarkozy is scheduled to inaugurate on 13 July with the support of nearly 40 countries. All the 27 European Union countries are expected to be represented at the summit, as are the leaders of most non-EU countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Henri Guaino, Sarkozy's political adviser and the architect of the Mediterranean initiative, stressed that the notion of closer collaboration between the EU and countries to the south and east of the Mediterranean has renewed interest in this vital region. The entire project is of vital interest to Egypt. Egypt is a country that wears many hats: it is an Arab state on the African continent. It is a natural gateway for Europe to Africa and the Arab world. Egypt, a country with tremendous political influence in the region, is keen for the Mediterranean Union to become a forum where the political challenges of the region would be discussed. A prime example is the current attempt by France to involve Syria and Israel in peace talks. Indeed, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has urged France to participate as a mediator in prospective peace talks between Syria and Israel. France, assuming the presidency of the EU, has become of critical political importance. However, even though the Mediterranean Union is a French initiative, other influential European countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany and Britain have a key role to play. And the collective EU input in the Middle East peace process must not be underestimated. Times indeed are fast changing and Egypt is ready to face the challenge and make good use of this golden opportunity. One of the most important characteristics of the Mediterranean Union is that it would focus on practical projects including food security, nuclear energy, water resources and civil protection. These are issues of vital concern to the countries south of the Mediterranean. These countries understand that they have much to learn from the experience and expertise of the EU states. Another attractive characteristic of the Mediterranean Union is that decision- making would be shared among Europeans and their non-EU Mediterranean partners. Egypt is cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the French-led scheme. Cairo is poised to do its best to render it a success. Egypt is enthusiastic about the prospects of developing closer ties with EU countries and cooperation in both the political and economic spheres. Egypt, however, is keenly aware that there are serious challenges that warrant the immediate attention of EU and Mediterranean countries. It is against this backdrop that issues such as immigration from the countries south of the Mediterranean to EU countries must be considered. Many Egyptian nationals and Africans and Arabs have lost their lives at sea trying in desperation to flee the dire economic conditions in their own countries for greener pastures in the EU nations. This is one of the prickly subjects that would have to be tackled if the Mediterranean Union is to be a success story.
