ANKARA - Ministers participating to the Fourth Euro-Mediterranean (EUROMED) Trade Conference held in Istanbul, expressed their commitment to stimulate investments and making concrete progress toward the 2010 objective of a Euro-Med Free Trade Area.
A set of guidelines was adopted at the conference detailing the main objectives and principles, and opening trade and services for all EUROMED partners.
''The Istanbul meeting allowed ministers to review the results achieved within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, as well as to outline an agenda for future works. They confirmed their commitment to undertake concrete steps to liberalize trade and thus contribute to the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area,'' the final statement of the meeting said.
During the meeting, ministers expressed their satisfaction as regards several positive developments, including the conclusion of bilateral and regional agreements.
Ministers also took note of developments recorded in negotiations on bilateral free trade agreements. These include the signature of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between Morocco and Turkey in April 2004, and between Turkey and the Palestinian Authority in July 2004.
They also noted progress in negotiations between Turkey and Tunisia as well as between Turkey and Lebanon, and the start of negotiations between Syria and Turkey in May.
EUROMED ministers reviewed progress in the implementation of the recommendations adopted in Palermo in 2003 for the simplification of customs procedures. They noted that significant progress has been made on that matter.
Ministers re-affirmed the need for Mediterranean countries to conclude FTAs between them and also with other pan-European countries, in order to have identical rules of origin in force.
''Concerning the approximation of legislation in the field of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, EUROMED ministers acknowledged the substantial progress made within the Working Group. Ministers exchanged views on the new European Neighborhood Policy, a key policy development since the recent EU enlargement,'' the statement said.
EUROMED ministers reiterated their commitment to a successful conclusion of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations covering both improved market access and stronger WTO rules. They confirmed their determination to jointly work towards a balanced agreement on the modalities for the key areas of the negotiations by the end of July 2004.
The next EUROMED Trade Ministerial Conference will be held in Tunisia in 2005.
(UK-ULG) 22.07.2004