Brussels, Belgium, 5 July. On the margins of the Commisssion for Economic, Social and Territorial Affairs (ECOTER) of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly, ARLEM, which was held in Brussels on 2 July, the President of EMUNI, Joseph Mifsud, held a number of meetings in Brussels vis-a-vis EMUNI activities.

President Mifsud had a meeting with the Vice President of the European Parliament and Chair of the EMPA group for EMUNI, Ms. Rodi Kratsa on joint efforts to financially reinforce the position of EMUNI.  It was agreed that joint missions, organised by the EMUNI UNIVERSITY and the office of Vice President Kratsa, will be heldin the Gulf in Qatar and the UAE on fund raising opportunties for EMUNI.

Further discussion was held about a joint session of the Senate in Ankara with European and Mediterranean parlamentarians. Rodi Kratsa also received a number of proposals to be put to EMPA, specifically calling for a Marie Curie Programme as an ENPI initiative, the setting up of ERASMUS for the Mediterranean, a Jean Monet-like programme for the Mediterranean, and a visa waiver or a special multiple entry visa for young researchers or academics coming from the Mediterranean region into the EU.

President Mifsud also had a cordial meeting at the European Commission with Jose Jimez Sanchez, the EU Scientific Officer, on the ENPI service contract with DG EuropeAid. The discussion focused on procedures and work which has been carried out regarding the expert selection and development of the project. During this discussion a further amplification of the project to the Western Balkans and training for the Union for the Mediterranean officials was also discussed.

Other meetings in Brussels focused on the support to EMUNI on the management and application of EU funds. Marilyn Fiaschi and Katerina Galanaki, EU Experts were nominated for a mission to Slovenia to support the development of an EU Unit for EMUNI and to prepare a document to be presented to the Ankara meeting on staff training and competencies at EMUNI.

At the commision sessions of ARLEM, President Mifsud was one of the keynote speakers together with Mme Julia Jordan, Mission UpM from the French Co-Presidency, and Mr. Jean Louis Ville, Head of Unit, DG EuropeAid, European Commission.  The President of EMUNI was invited by the co-chair, Mr. M.I. Jakovcic, President of the Region of Istria, Croatia, to visit Istria to discuss issues of common concern on the Mediterranean and to include the Universities from the Croatian side into EMUNI.  President Mifsud also held a planning meeting with the other co-President of Ecoter, Mr. Luc Van den Brande on a number of issues including the official recognition to be given to EMUNI as the official academic think tank of the Committee of the Regions and ARLEM, as from the next meeting to be held in Agadir.  Mr. Van der Brande promised all his support to EMUNI and a joint meeting will be held with the European Investment Bank to look at opportunities for EMUNI to work in line with the BEI.  Also a meeting is being prepared with Madam President Bresso, and Mr. Boudra the two co-presidents of ARLEM to discuss cooperation of EMUNI with the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly.