ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses that there is a problem of communication between the Barcelona signatory states, the European Commission and civil society actors concerning the purpose and form of civil society co-operation within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) framework. Under the auspices of the European Economic and Social Committee, the national economic and social committees and similar institutions meet regularly, in European and southern Mediterranean cities alternately. Two of the co-operation activities are: the regional civil society programmes and the Euro-Mediterranean Civil Forum. The current regional civil society programmes are based on a different approach from those existing prior to the launch of the Barcelona initiative. The Euromed Civil Forum is probably the most prominent voice for civil society in the EMP. Any external support to civil society necessarily provokes resistance and most partner governments are extremely suspicious of any kind of decentralised co-operation involving civil society abroad that might escape their control.
