Paris, France, 6 July.  University Paris 8, member of EMUNI has warmly welcomed dignitaries from the Euro-Mediterranean Network of cooperation in the area of Higher Education and Research.

Several personalities from the Mediterranean area took part in the event: Professor Joseph Mifsud, the President of Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI), Professor Pascal Binczak, Rector of University Paris 8, Madam Michéle Gendreau-Massaloux "Chargé de mission" at the office of the French President in charge of the Union for the Mediterranean, Professor Enric Olivié Serret, Secretary General of the Euro-Mediterranean University Forum (EPUF) and Professor Franco Rizzi Secretary General of the Union of Mediterranean Universities (UNIMED). As well other personalities also contributed to the event, notably Professor Nehale Fariid Mostapha, Team Leader of the ENPI Project at EMUNI and Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration at the Beirut Arab University.

Madam Michéle Gendreau-Massaloux has expressed her deep appreciation for the efforts of EMUNI, not only in promoting Higher Education in the Mediterranean, but as an essential tool to foster dialogue between the two shores of the Mediterranean. According to Madam Massaloux the birth of EMUNI happened in a "crucial moment" which will mark the "the logic of the Union for the Mediterranean". She has also emphasised the importance of cooperation between different Higher Education Institutions in the Mediterranean area.

University Paris 8 represented by Rector Pascal Binczak confirmed their contribution within EMUNI and stressed the need to:" Develop new project in the domain of higher education and scientific research that can unify the diverse actors of the network".

Professor Joseph Mifsud has expressed his support to the Paris 8 project and has confirmed that EMUNI will contend this initiative. According to Professor Mifsud, the project aims not only to create other new projects that can consolidate cooperation between university networks in the Mediterranean, but to foster synergy in the development of intercultural dialogue in the region.

At the end of the event, participants agreed on the need of similar meetings in the near future in order to widen these actions and sustain cooperation between the represented institutions.

On the margins of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding between EMUNI and UNIMED was signed.

The memorandum is the first step in developing synergy of academic and regional collaboration between the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Ionian regions. This will install MEDADRION which will be an initiative to garner support for cooperation between Universities, regions, municipalities, and national governments in the field of higher education, science and technology.