Civil society organizations from the European Union and countries in the Mediterranean region have agreed to work toward a revamped civil society assembly and request for consultative body status within the Union for the Mediterranean, a partnership representing 43 countries from around the region.
The planned assembly is expected to have a rotating presidency and bureau, according to an EU news release. Civil society groups from the EU and its 16 partner countries, collectively known as the Assembly of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions, will also have an equal share of seats under the adopted statute, which is regarded as a “living document” that can be revised to better address the needs of civil society.
The statute was adopted at the conclusion of the assembly’s annual summit held in Rome Nov. 10-12.
