Members took stock of the progress of the decentralisation process in the Euro-Mediterranean region and adopted the annual report on the state of the territorial dimension of the Union for the Mediterranean. Moreover ARLEM set its position on the role of local and regional authorities in managing migration flows and waste management. 
 
Cllr Linda Gillham, member of the EA group and of the ARLEM Bureau, highlights that, despite the difficult economic and political context, positive developments have been reported in a number of countries where constitutional reforms are underway. Nevertheless respect of fundamental rights and principles remain our guiding principles and the recent arrest of journalists in Turkey is a cause for concern.
 
As former rapporteur on plastic waste in the CoR Cllr Gillham recalls the importance of educating the public, beginning with children at school, when it comes to regarding plastic as a valuable resource that should be reused or recycled as far as possible.  Temptation to resort to incineration should also be resisted, concluded Mrs Gillham.

 

In view of the renewal of the COR mandate and the 5th anniversary of the ARLEM, members discussed the roadmap for 2015-2017 and ways to enhance the  role of ARLEM and its visibility as a political forum.   Whilst the CoR will appoint its new co-chairperson in February, the Euro Mediterranean partners appointed Hani Abdelmasih Al-Hayek, Mayor of Beit Sahour (Palestine) as ARLEM co-chairperson.
 
Rapporteurs were also appointed on future ARLEM works, notably on a sustainable urban agenda and on employment and territorial development in the Euromed area. These topics are likely to be at the centre of the UfM talks next year.