The presentation and discussion of reports and resolutions dealing with Migration, Gender and Equality Issues and Dialogue of Cultures and Religions brought to an end the three-day meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Standing Committees. The meetings were hosted by the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal in Lisbon between the 24-26 June.
On Friday, a brief parenthesis was dedicated to the continuation of the economic topic falling under the 2nd Standing Committee. Two guest speakers, Mr. Basilio Horta, President of AICEP (Business Development Agency) of Portugal and Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, Director General of UBI France (French Agency for International Business Development), presented their respective agencies to more than 40 parliamentarians representing member states of PAM, among which was Libya.
Both Mr. Horta and Mr. Lecourtier highlighted the importance of growth in economic relations and in sustainable development. They insisted on the need to support and promote Small and Medium enterprises which represent a high percentage of the economic activity in the Mediterranean basin. In a globalised world cooperation is better than competition and companies must therefore learn more about each other and the markets within which they wish to expand their activities. “External factors are becoming more and more influential on internal markets and meetings like these organized by PAM serve as a platform where experiences and best practices are exchanged,” Mr. Horta said.
The day was closed with a reflection on PAM’s Communication and Outreach strategy with reference to lessons learned so far. The paper was presented by Hon. George Vella on behalf of Hon. Jesmond Mugliett (Malta). Finally, the Secretariat reminded the parliamentarians that candidatures were being accepted for the 2009 PAM Prize.
The next event of the Assembly is in October in Istanbul, where the annual Plenary Session will convene to formally consider the adoption of the Reports and Resolutions endorsed during the proceedings in Lisbon. The Plenary Session will also agree upon the calendar of activities and the topics that will inform the programme of the upcoming year.