'How to build the Mediterranean Union', that is the title of the parliamentary mission which will be chaired by Renaud Muselier, first deputy mayor of Marseilles, president of
Euromediterranée and vice-president of the Foreign Affairs Commission at the National Assembly. The parliamentary mission will be composed of 10 deputies that should publish their report at the end of November 2007.
Moreover, other thinking groups have been formed in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. For instance, the Institut de la Méditerranée has set up an expert group and has begun to interview several specialists in Mediterranean Affairs. The final report will be given back to local authorities at the end of September and lead to a debate at the 3rd Mediterranean business meeting during the
Mediterranean business week. Moreover, writing to the President of the Republic, the Mayor of Marseilles, Jean-Claude Gaudin has suggested him to make of the Institut de la Méditerranée the 'advanced base camp' of the Mediterranean Union project.
Besides, Michel Vauzelle, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regional council has been appointed by the Mediterranean regions of the European Union and by the French regions association to think about a new type of partnership between Europe and the Mediterranean. An expert group has been formed, whose recommendations will be submitted to the President of the Republic.
