“New powers, new economic programs in the Mediterranean”
Rarely the situation of the Mediterranean has seemed so uncertain. On one side the unprecedented economic crisis and on the other a political revolution which seeks stability. This exceptional situation should allow a rebound in the reorganization of large areas imagining a new future.Mediterranean countries are now facing three challenges which the Circle of economists and the Mediterranean Institute strive to respond:
1 – Make the future economic and social policies credible and stimulating
– To propose a vision which gathers, especially the youth, by drawing the outline of a more inclusive future where every young person will be able tofreely express their opinions.
– To take part in the construction of a new development model, based on knowledge.
– To give up the idea that after a transitional phase, we can return to business as usual without changing the behaviors of the elites.
– To avoid implementing a pure distributive model which would lead to a closed economy, following a period of necessary social support.
– To build a new dynamic growth model based on youth, openess, fairness
and more territorially balanced.
2 – Managing a transition which degrades the macroeconomic balances
– The ongoing processes should not, in any case, be delayed by political
judgments; a decline in confidence is unwarranted.
– The international community should evaluate the level of urgencies and at least respect the commitments undertaken by the G20.
Otherwise, there is a risk that the tensions that can occur will lead to serious crises. Indeed, for three or four years the macroeconomic balances FINAL DECLARATION will deteriorate. The Circle of Economists and the Mediterranean Institute found that the resilience of Mediterranean countries is still important. However, the deterioration of the balance of payments, rising of inflationary tensions, fiscal imbalances and tensions on employment, in particular youth employment, place a considerable threat which might likely block the transition.
3 – Improving the regional integration of the Mediterranean countries in the global economy
The Circle of Economists and the Institute of Mediterranean recommend that Europe reaffirms its commitments in relation to the expectations of the southern countries and that the regional anchorage of the Mediterranean countries among themselves and with Europe should be pursued.
This implies that significant strides have been too slow:
– The mobility of students, researchers and entrepreneurs.
– The extension of the Erasmus program.
– The deepening of cooperation between Institutes of education and research.
– The strengthening of public / private partnerships.
– A common strategy for relocation of industrial activities in Europe.
