On the initiative of Vice-President of the European Parliament, Rodi Kratsa, in her capacity as responsible for Euro-Mediterranean relations and the European Parliament's Information and Communication Policy, the first meeting of journalists from the North, South, East and West of the Mediterranean will take place on 29-30 November 2011 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The theme of the seminar is 'Euro-Mediterranean relations in the wake of the Arab Spring: assisting the transition to democracy in the Mediterranean and the Middle East - Exploring new partnership opportunities'.

The seminar will be organised in different modules: the role of the European Institutions - supporting democracy and new Euro-Mediterranean partnership opportunities; the European Institutions and the media - sharing information to improve understanding and cooperation; social media and the Arab Spring; and lastly, the role of the media in the fight for freedom. The modules aim at allowing exchanges between the two shores of the Mediterranean, thus contributing to an improvement in communication, the transfer of information, the reinforcement of democracy, and Euro-Mediterranean relations.

The participants will be representatives of the media from European Union Member States as well as from EU partner countries, representing different sectors of communication and information. This composition should permit a coherent approach to the challenges and the means for cooperation.

"The seminar was very positively welcomed by journalists from both shores of the Mediterranean and I am delighted to witness such a wide participation. I am confident that it constitutes a first step towards better understanding, in order to further enhance a much-needed solid Euro-Mediterranean partnership."

"Information constitutes the basis for a participative democracy and constructive relations between partners. Furthermore, the representatives of the media from the North and South of the Mediterranean will have a unique opportunity to get familiar with our House's policies and activities in the Euro-Mediterranean and local press facilities, thereby enhancing mutual cooperation and further promoting our mutual principles, values and objectives", concluded Rodi Kratsa MEP.

For further information:

Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845308

Theo Georgitsopoulos, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-475-750566

Notes to Editors:

The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 264 Members.