The Hon. Jean-Claude Martinez of France paid a visit

to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) headquarters at Palazzo

Spinola. Mr. Martinez, a member of the European Parliament, was welcomed by PAM’s

Secretary General, Dr. Sergio Piazzi, who briefed him about the actions of the

organization. Present for the meeting was Ambassador Alfred Zarb, who continues to

assist PAM on all Mediterranean related issues.

Due to the French parliamentarian’s wide experience in the southern shore of the

Mediterranean, he expressed his particular interest in the issues dealt with by PAM, and

recalled his contributions as Course Director at the National School of Administration in

Morocco. On his part, Dr. Piazzi also emphasized the process to consolidate and

establish relations and cooperation with other international organizations, some of which

have already expressed their intention to work closely with PAM on issues related to the

region.

Also serving as a member of the delegation to the Euro-Mediterranean

Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA), he showed interest in PAM’s relationship with other

organizations such as the Union for the Mediterranean and EMPA. In his capacity with

the European Parliament, he articulated appreciation for PAM and wished for continued

close relations. He further expressed his satisfaction with the remarkable results achieved

by PAM so far, and hoped to encourage and facilitate an exchange between the

European Parliament, as well as EMPA, and PAM.

Mr. Martinez previously served as a member of the Montpellier Municipal

Council and was a member of the National Assembly. He is currently a professor at the

School of Law at the University of Paris II, having held this position since 1983.