ARLEM commission for economic, social and territorial affairs meet today in Brussels to discuss economic and social perspectives in the Mediterranean one year after the Arab spring while focussing on concrete ways and projects to stimulate job creation and development in the area. Focus was given to the importance of research programmes and education.

EA member, Mr Musotto, member of the Regional Parliament of Sicily, underlined the importance of ARLEM in contributing to local development in the Mediterranean. Whereas he welcomes the knowledge and expertise available to reach this objective, he lamented the lack of information and resources for local and regional authorities to promote projects as the current crisis has led many governments to cut further the resources to local governments.