Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

The multilateral cross-border cooperation "Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme" is part of the new European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and of its financing instrument (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument - ENPI) for the 2007-2013 period: it aims at reinforcing cooperation between the European Union (EU) and partner countries regions placed along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

117 regions belonging to 19 different countries are eligible to the Programme. 15 countries have already adhered to the Programme: Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Portugal, Spain, Syria and Tunisia.

The Operational Programme, approved on August 14th 2008 by European Commission decision C (2008) 4242, establishes a strategic framework of 4 Priorities jointly defined by the participating countries:
1) promotion of socio-economic development and enhancement of territories
2) promotion of environmental sustainability at basin level
3) promotion of better conditions and modalities for ensuring the mobility of persons, goods and capitals
4) promotion of cultural dialogue and local governance.