Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly


The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, established in Naples on 3 December 2003 by decision of the Ministerial Conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, was the most recent institution of the Barcelona Process. The EMPA opened its proceedings in Vouliagmeni on 22 and 23 March 2004. Its first Bureau comprises the Presidents of the Egyptian People's Assembly, the European Parliament, the Tunisian Chamber of Deputies and the Greek Parliament.
The EMPA was absorbed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of the Mediterranean, not to be confused with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.

Nature and functions of the EMPA

The EMPA is the Barcelona Process's parliamentary institution and plays a consultative role.
The EMPA consists of parliamentarians appointed by:
The EMPA consists of a maximum of 240 Members, of which 120 are Europeans and 120 are from the NPs of the EU's Mediterranean partner countries, so as to guarantee North-South parity.
It is organised on the basis of national delegations and European Parliament delegations. It meets at least once a year.

Committees

The Assembly consists of four committees and one ad hoc committee, each with 80 members and a four-member Bureau. They are responsible for addressing each of the partnership's strands: