through joint performance of activities and/or studies Assertion of the Mediterranean identity Contribution to build an area of peace, tolerance, security and prosperity ASCAME serves as a unique instrument for the socioeconomic development of the region through: A close collaboration with the most important organisations and international institutions of the Mediterranean region The promotion of regional and international economic activities The involvement in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation projects Members The Association envisages two types of membership: Full Members, which are Chambers of Commerce and Industry of countries riparian to the Mediterranean, and Associate Members, which are the various Mediterranean institutions and organisations having a relationship with the objectives of ASCAME. Today, around 75% of its members are Chambers of Commerce and Industry from different Mediterranean countries and around 10% are national Chambers of Commerce and bilateral Chambers of Commerce. Nearby 10% of its members are business representative organisations, employees’ organisations and associations for economic promotion. The rest of members are port authorities, promotion agencies and fairs, among others. ASCAME has currently members from Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine, Serbia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. Organisation ASCAME's operating structure consists of: General Assembly. The General Assembly is composed of all members. Its main task is to define the general policy and major lines of the activity of the Association. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is the permanent management and administrative body of ASCAME. The Executive Committee consists of only full members bordering the Mediterranean Sea, in the number of one per country. Bureau. The Bureau consists of eight Chambers of Commerce and Industry chosen from the Executive Committee. The Bureau acts on behalf of the Executive Committee in regards to ordinary and ongoing matters. General Secretariat. The Executive Committee nominates a Chamber among the members to act as ASCAME General Secretariat. This position is currently held by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Services, Industry and Navigation. The General Secretariat is responsible for monitoring the decisions taken by the General Meeting, the Executive Committee and the Bureau, conserving ASCAME records and providing secretarial services Committees and Working Commissions The Working Commissions The ASCAME Working Commissions are created by the Executive Committee in order to achieve the objectives of the Association. They are the heart of the Association and act as think thanks for ideas, proposals and programmes related