Sarkozy, in Algeria, Proposes ‘Mediterranean Union'

President Sarkozy of France asked President Bouteflika of Algeria to work toward a "Mediterranean Union" to build strategic and economic ties between southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

"I wanted to seek the opinion and the advice of President Bouteflika," Mr. Sarkozy said at a press conference at the Zeralda Palace, 25 miles west of Algiers. Mr. Sarkozy chose Algeria, a former French colony, for his first trip outside Europe since his May 6 election as president. The French president said the leaders of Mediterranean countries will meet in the first half of 2008 to officially launch the union.

In his victory speech in May, Sarkozy said he wanted a North-South union to help the development of African nations and reduce immigration to Europe. The proposed partnership would seek to promote cooperation on energy and trade ties as well as to strengthen security and coordinate counterterrorism efforts.

Mr. Sarkozy's effort follows a 1995 European Union call in Barcelona for an alliance of Mediterranean countries with the European Union. The Barcelona process led to regular meetings between the European Union and Mediterranean rim countries, though it hasn't so far produced any formal cooperation agreements.

The proposed accord would aim to build "peace and development" in the Mediterranean, drawing on 60 years of European integration, Mr. Sarkozy said. "We will take into account the legacy of Barcelona. ... It has to be everyone's idea," he said.

The Mediterranean Union would stretch from Portugal in the West to Lebanon and Turkey in the East, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.

Mr. Sarkozy first mentioned the Mediterranean Union during his presidential election campaign in February. His proposals included a Mediterranean Investment Bank, along the lines of the European Investment Bank, to develop regional economies.