Mediterranean Union proposal

EU LEADERS reacted coolly yesterday to French plans for a grand Mediterranean Union stretching from Morocco to Turkey and warned that the project must involve all EU members.

The leaders, holding two days of talks in Brussels, voiced support for boosting ties with the region, but rejected the idea of creating any new structure on which to base their partnership.

“The EU should increase its presence in the Mediterranean,” said Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency.