ASCAME calls on the Chambers of commerce, Industry, business organizations and enterprises of the region to join forces along with civil society, governments and international organizations to work out common initiatives in favour of refugees.

The Mediterranean is today a region that is undergoing a profound transformation in political and socio-economic terms. Recent events, such as the massive influx of migrants to Europe – mainly from Syria – show how a sharp inequality may lead to a deep political, social and economic turmoil. The current migratory crisis requires an urgent and coordinated response at regional and international level.

In this scenario, ASCAME calls on the Chambers of commerce, Industry, business organizations and enterprises of the region to join forces along with civil society, governments and international organizations to work out common initiatives in favour of aiding the refugees.

The Mediterranean Sea cannot be allowed to be the cemetery for those migrants fleeing war, destruction and death in pursuit of a better life. The Mediterranean must not become a new Berlin Wall, nor a buffer zone in an effort to avoid North Africa and the Middle East’s turbulences and migrants’ flows. This would simply further increase the current socioeconomic gap between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. It is, therefore, necessary to overcome the barriers of misunderstanding, suspicion and past differences in search of a stable future.  Otherwise, the political and economic costs may be too high.

Democracy, stability, growth and investment have a close relationship. Thus, all civil society actors’ involvement is required in order to generate the required wealth and prosperity in the region. Furthermore, the Euro-Mediterranean partnership must take priority over all obstacles. Given the strong interdependence and existing exchange channels, the EU cannot detach from what happens in the Mediterranean.  Indeed, Europe’s future is tied to that of the Mediterranean.

Europe and the Mediterranean are more than neighbouring countries; they share the same common destiny. The countries of Europe and the Mediterranean must work together to achieve the shared objectives of peace, prosperity, development and growth.