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Frequent Links
Union for the Mediterranean
The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is a multilateral partnership of 43 countries from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin: the 28 member states of the European Union and 15 Mediterranean partner countries from North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Europe. It was created in July 2008 as a relaunched Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (the Barcelona Process), when a plan to create an autonomous Mediterranean Union was dropped. The Union has the aim of promoting stability and prosperity throughout the Mediterranean region.
The Union for the Mediterranean introduced new institutions into the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership such as the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, established in Barcelona in 2010, with the aim to identify and promote regional cooperation projects that contribute to achieve its goals and objectives as indicated in its mandate.
The Union for the Mediterranean is the southern regional cooperation branch, which works in parallel to the European Neighbourhood Policy. Its eastern counterpart is the Eastern Partnership.
- 1 Membership
- 2 History
- 3 Mediterranean Union
- 4 Aims and concrete projects
- 5 Institutions
- 6 Funding
- 7 Impact of conflicts between member countries
- 8 List of Sectorial Ministerial meetings
- 9 See also
- 10 References
- 11 External links
The members of the Union of the Mediterranean are the following:
- From the European Union side:
- The 28 European Union member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
- The European Commission.
- From the side of the Mediterranean Partner countries:
- 15 member states: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria (self-suspended on 22 June 2011), Tunisia and Turkey.
- Libya as an observer state.[1] The UfM has expressed a desire to grant Libya full membership,[2] and Mohamed Abdelaziz, Libya's Foreign Minister, has stated that his country is "open" to joining.[3]
- The League of Arab States[4][5]
Antecedents: Barcelona Process
The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, also known as the Barcelona Process, was created in 1995 as a result of the Conference of Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs held in Barcelona under the Spanish presidency of the EU. It culminates a series of attempts by European countries to articulate their relations with their North African and Middle Eastern neighbours: the global Mediterranean policy (1972–1992) and the renovated Mediterranean policy (1992–1995).[6]
Javier Solana opened the conference saying that they were brought together to straighten out the "clash of civilizations" and misunderstandings that there had been between them, and that it "was auspicious" that they had convened on the 900th anniversary of the First Crusade. He described the conference as a process to foster cultural and economic unity in the Mediterranean region. The Barcelona Treaty was drawn up by the 27 countries in attendance, and Solana, who represented Spain as their foreign minister during their turn at the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, was credited with the diplomatic accomplishment.
According to the 1995 Barcelona Declaration, the aim of the initiative was: "turning the Mediterranean basin into an area of dialogue, exchange and cooperation guaranteeing peace, stability and prosperity."[7] The Declaration established the three main objectives of the Partnership:
- Definition of a common area of peace and stability through the reinforcement of political and security dialogue (Political and Security Basket).
- Construction of a zone of shared prosperity through an economic and financial partnership and the gradual establishment of a free-trade area (Economic and Financial Basket).
- Rapprochement between peoples through a social, cultural and human partnership aimed at encouraging understanding between cultures and exchanges between civil societies (Social, Cultural and Human Basket).
The European Union stated the intention of the partnership was "to strengthen its relations with the countries in the Mashriq and Maghreb regions". Both Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat had high praises for Solana's coordination of the Barcelona Process. The Barcelona Process, developed after the Conference in successive annual meetings, is a set of goals designed to lead to a free trade area in the Middle East by 2010.
The agenda of the Barcelona Process is:
- Security and stability in the Mediterranean;
- Agreeing on shared values and initializing a long-term process for cooperation in the Mediterranean;
- Promoting democracy, good governance and human rights;
- Achieving mutually satisfactory trading terms for the region's partners, the "region" consisting of the countries that participated;
- Establishing a complementary policy to the United States' presence in the Mediterranean.
The Barcelona Process comprises three "baskets":
- economic - to work for shared prosperity in the Mediterranean, including the Association Agreements on the bilateral level
- political - promotion of political values, good governance and democracy
- cultural - cultural exchange and strengthening civil society
The Euro-Mediterranean free trade area (EU-MEFTA) is based on the Barcelona Process and European Neighbourhood Policy. The Agadir Agreement of 2004 is seen as its first building block.
At the time of its creation, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership comprised 27 member countries: 15 from the European Union and 12 Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey). As a result of the European Union's enlargements of 2004 and 2007 the number of EU member states grew up to 27, and two of the Mediterranean partner countries — Cyprus and Malta — became part of the European Union. The EU enlargement changed the configuration of the Barcelona Process from "15+12" to "27+10."[8] Albania and Mauritania joined the Barcelona Process in 2007, raising the number of participants to 39.[9]
Euromediterranean Summit 2005
The 10th anniversary Euromediterranean summit was held in Barcelona on 27–28 November 2005. Full members of the Barcelona Process were:
- 27 Member States of the European Union.
- 10 countries from the southern Mediterranean shore: Algeria, Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey (already part of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, the latter began EU accession talks on 3 October).
- Croatia, a candidate to join the EU, which began accession talks on 3 October.
- The European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Secretary General of the Council of the EU
Moreover, the Barcelona Process included 6 countries and institutions participating as permanent observers (Libya, Mauritania, the Secretary-General of the Arab League) and invited observers, such as the European Investment Bank, the Arab Maghreb Union, the Anna Lindh Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures, the Economical and Social Committee or the Euromed Economical and Social Councils.
According to the ISN, "Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were the only leaders from the Mediterranean countries to attend, while those of Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt were not present."[1]
From the official web site, "The new realities and challenges of the 21st century make it necessary to update the Barcelona Declaration and create a new Action Plan (based on the good results of the Valencia Action Plan), encompassing four fundamental areas":[10]
- Peace, Security, Stability, Good Government, and Democracy.
- Sustainable Economic Development and Reform.
- Education and Cultural Exchange
- Justice, Security, Migration, and Social Integration (of Immigrants).
Bilateral relations
The European Union carries out a number of activities bilaterally with each country. The most important are the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements that the Union negotiates with the Mediterranean Partners individually. They reflect the general principles governing the new Euro-Mediterranean relationship, although they each contain characteristics specific to the relations between the EU and each Mediterranean Partner.
Regional aspects
Regional dialogue represents one of the most innovative aspects of the Partnership, covering at the same time the political, economic and cultural fields (regional co-operation). Regional co-operation has a considerable strategic impact as it deals with problems that are common to many Mediterranean Partners while it emphasises the national complementarities.
The multilateral dimension supports and complements the bilateral actions and dialogue taking place under the Association Agreements.
Since 2004 the Mediterranean Partners are also included in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and since 2007 are funded via the ENPI.
The Euromed Heritage program
As a result of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, the Euromed Heritage program was formed. This program has been active since 1998, and has been involved in programs to identify the cultural heritages of Mediterranean states, promote their preservation, and educate the peoples of partner countries about their cultural heritages.[11]
By some analysts, the process has been declared ineffective. The stalling of the Middle East Peace Process is having an impact on the Barcelona Process and is hindering progress especially in the first basket. The economic basket can be considered a success, and there have been more projects for the exchange on a cultural level and between the peoples in the riparian states. Other criticism is mainly based on the predominant role the European Union is playing. Normally it is the EU that is assessing the state of affairs, which leads to the impression that the North is dictating the South what to do. The question of an enhanced co-ownership of the process has repeatedly been brought up over the last years.
Being a long-term process and much more complex than any other similar project, it may be many years before a final judgement can be made.
Bishara Khader argues that this ambitious European project towards its Mediterranean neighbours has to be understood in a context of optimism. On the one hand, the European Community was undergoing important changes due to the reunification of Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the beginning of the adhesion negotiations of Eastern and Central European countries. On the other, the Arab-Israeli conflict appeared to be getting closer to achieving peace after the Madrid Conference (1991) and the Oslo Accords (1992). As well, Khader states that the Gulf War of 1991, the Algerian crisis (from 1992 onwards) and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism throughout the Arab world are also important factors in Europe's new relations with the Mediterranean countries based on security concerns.[12]
Critiques against the Barcelona Process escalated after the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean Summit in Barcelona in 2005, which was broadly considered a failure.[13] First, the absence of Heads of State and Government from the Southern Mediterranean countries (with the exception of the Palestinian and Turkish ones) heavily contrasted with the attendance of the 27 European Union's Heads of State and Government.[14] Second, the lack of consensus to define the term "terrorism" prevented the endorsement of a final declaration. The Palestinian Authority, Syria and Algeria argued that resistance movements against foreign occupation should not be included in this definition.[15] Nevertheless, a code of conduct on countering terrorism and a five-year work program were approved at Barcelona summit of 2005.[16] both of which are still valid under the Union for the Mediterranean.[17]
For many, the political context surrounding the 2005 summit — the stagnation of the Middle East Peace Process, the US-led war on Iraq, the lack of democratisation in Arab countries, and the war on terror's negative effects on freedoms and human rights, among others — proved for many the inefficiency of the Barcelona Process for fulfilling its objectives of peace, stability and prosperity.[18] Given these circumstances, even politicians that had been engaged with the Barcelona Process since its very beginnings, like the Spanish politician Josep Borrell, expressed their disappointment about the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and its incapacity to deliver results.[19] Critiques from Southern Mediterranean countries blamed the Partnership's failure on Europe's lack of interest towards the Mediterranean in favour of its Eastern neighbourhood;[20] whereas experts from the North accused Southern countries of only being interested on "their own bi-lateral relationship with the EU" while downplaying multilateral policies.[19]
However, many European Union diplomats have defended the validity of the Barcelona Process' framework by arguing that the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was the only forum that gathered Israelis and Arabs on equal footing[21]), and identifying as successes the Association Agreements, the Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism and the establishment of the Anna Lindh Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures.[1]
On 2006 the first proposals for improving the Partnership's efficiency, visibility and co-ownership arouse, such as establishing a co-presidency system and a permanent secretariat or nominating a "Mr./Ms. Med."[22]
Mediterranean Union
A proposal to establish a "Mediterranean Union", which would consist principally of Mediterranean states, was part of the election campaign of Nicolas Sarkozy during the French presidential election campaign in 2007. During the campaign Mr. Sarkozy said that the Mediterranean Union would be modelled on the European Union with a shared judicial area and common institutions.[23] Sarkozy saw Turkish membership of the Mediterranean Union as an alternative to membership of the European Union, which he opposes,[23] and as a forum for dialogue between Israel and its Arab Neighbours.[24]
Once elected, President Sarkozy invited all heads of state and government of the Mediterranean region to a meeting in June 2008 in Paris, with a view to laying the basis of a Mediterranean Union.[25]
The Mediterranean Union was enthusiastically supported by Egypt and Israel.[26] Turkey strongly opposed the idea and originally refused to attend the Paris conference until it was assured that membership of the Mediterranean Union was not being proposed as an alternative to membership of the EU.[27]
Among EU member states, the proposal was supported by Italy, Spain,[28] and Greece.[29]
However the European Commission and Germany were more cautious about the project. The European Commission saying that while initiatives promoting regional co-operation were good, it would be better to build them upon existing structures, notable among them being the Barcelona process. German chancellor Angela Merkel said the MU risked splitting and threatening the core of the EU. In particular she objected to the potential use of EU funds to fund a project which was only to include a small number of EU member states.[30] When Slovenia took the EU presidency at the beginning of 2008, the then Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša added to the criticism by saying: "We do not need a duplication of institutions, or institutions that would compete with EU, institutions that would cover part of the EU and part of the neighbourhood."[31]
Other criticisms of the proposal included concern about the relationship between the proposed MU and the existing Euromediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process), which might reduce the effectiveness of EU policies in the region and allow the southern countries to play on the rivalries to escape unpopular EU policies. There were similar economic concerns in the loss of civil society and similar human rights based policies. Duplication of policies from the EU's police and judicial area was a further worry.[32]
Proposal scaled down
At the start of 2008 Sarkozy began to modify his plans for the Mediterranean Union due to widespread opposition from other EU member states and the European Commission. At the end of February of that year, France's minister for European affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, stated that "there is no Mediterranean Union" but rather a "Union for the Mediterranean" that would only be "completing and enriching" to existing EU structures and policy in the region.[33] Following a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel it was agreed that the project would include all EU member states, not just those bordering the Mediterranean, and would be built upon the existing Barcelona process. Turkey also agreed to take part in the project following a guarantee from France that it was no longer intended as an alternative to EU membership.[27]
The proposed creation of common institutions,[34] and a Mediterranean Investment, which was to have been modelled on the European Investment Bank, was also dropped.[35]
In consequence the new Union for the Mediterranean would consist of regular meeting of the entire EU with the non-member partner states, and would be backed by two co-presidents and a secretariat.
Union for the Mediterranean launched
At the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean (13 July 2008), the 43 Heads of State and Government from the Euro-Mediterranean region decided to launch the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean. It was presented as a new phase Euro-Mediterranean Partnership with new members and an improved institutional architecture which aimed to "enhance multilateral relations, increase co-ownership of the process, set governance on the basis of equal footing and translate it into concrete projects, more visible to citizens. Now is the time to inject a new and continuing momentum into the Barcelona Process. More engagement and new catalysts are now needed to translate the objectives of the Barcelona Declaration into tangible results."[17]
The Paris summit was considered a diplomatic success for Nicolas Sarzoky.[36] The French president had managed to gather in Paris all the Heads of State and Government from the 43 Euro-Mediterranean countries, with the exception of the kings of Morocco and Jordan.[37]
At the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Foreign Affairs held in Marseilles in November 2008, the Ministers decided to shorten the initiative's name to simply the "Union for the Mediterranean".[5]
Aims and concrete projects
The fact that the Union for the Mediterranean is launched as a new phase of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership means that the Union accepts and commits to maintain the acquis of Barcelona, the purpose of which is to promote "peace, stability and prosperity" throughout the region (Barcelona, 2). Therefore, the four chapters of cooperation developed in the framework of the Barcelona Process during thirteen years remain valid:[17]
- Politics and Security
- Economics and Trade
- Socio-cultural
- Justice and Interior Affairs. This fourth chapter was included at the 10th Anniversary Euro-Mediterranean Summit held in Barcelona in 2005.
The objective to establish a Free Trade Area in the Euro-Mediterranean region by 2010 (and beyond), first proposed at the 1995 Barcelona Conference, was also endorsed by the Paris Summit of 2008.[17]
In addition to these four chapters of cooperation, the 43 Ministers of Foreign Affairs gathered in Marseilles on November 2008 identified six concrete projects that target specific needs of the Euro-Mediterranean regions and that will enhance the visibility of the Partnership:[38]
- De-pollution of the Mediterranean. This broad project encompasses many initiatives that target good environmental governance, access to drinkable water, water management, pollution reduction and protection of the Mediterranean biodiversity.[1]
- Maritime and land highways. The purpose of this project is to increase and improve the circulation of commodities and people throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region by improving its ports, and building highways and railways. Specifically, the Paris and Marseilles Declarations refer to the construction of both a Trans-Maghrebi railway and highway systems, connecting Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.[1]
- Civil protection. The civil protection project aims at improving the prevention, preparedness and response to both natural and man-made disasters. The ultimate goal is to "bring the Mediterranean Partner Countries progressively closer to the European Civil Protection Mechanism.[39]
- Alternative energies: Mediterranean solar plan. The goal of this project is to promote the production and use of renewable energies. More specifically, it aims at turning the Mediterranean partner countries into producers of solar energy and then circulating the resulting electricity through the Euro-Mediterranean region.[1] In this connection the union and the industrial initiative Dii signed a Memorandum of Understanding for future collaboration in May 2012 which included developing their long-term strategies "Mediterranean Solar Plan" and "Desert Power 2050". At the signing in Marrakesh the union's Secretary General called the new partnership "a key step for the implementation of the Mediterranean Solar Plan."[40]
- Higher education and research: Euro-Mediterranean University. On June 2008 the Euro-Mediterranean University of Slovenia was inaugurated in Piran (Slovenia), which offers graduate studies programs. The Foreign Ministers gathered at Marseilles on 2008 also called for the creation of another Euro-Mediterranean University in Fes, Morocco, Euro-Mediterranean University of Morocco (Euromed-UM).[41] The decision to go ahead with the Fes university was announced in June 2012.[42] At the 2008 Paris summit, the 43 Heads of State and Government agreed that the goal of this project is to promote higher education and scientific research in the Mediterranean, as well as to establish in the future a "Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education, Science and Research Area."[17]
- The Mediterranean business development initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to promote small and medium-sized enterprises from the Mediterranean partner countries by "assessing the needs of these enterprises, defining policy solutions and providing these entities with resources in the form of technical assistance and financial instruments." [17]
- 2013
In 2013, three new projects were launched so far:
- Young Women as Job Creators - The project promotes self-employment and entrepreneurship among young women university students who are about to graduate in Jordan, Morocco, Palestine and Spain, with an interest in starting their own business.
- Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean Water Sector - The core objective is to diagnose key governance and capacity building bottlenecks to mobilizing financing through public private partnerships (PPP) for the Mediterranean water sector and to support the development of consensual action plans based on international good practices.
- LOGISMED Training Activities (LOGISMED-TA). - LOGISMED-TA aims at improving the level of qualifications in the logistics sector by reinforcing logistics training structures in the Southern Mediterranean member countries. It more specifically focuses on the constitution of a network of experts and trainers at various levels who will lead the transformation of the transport and logistics sectors and create a Euro-Mediterranean market of logistic specialists.
In contrast with the Barcelona Process, one of the biggest innovations of the Union for the Mediterranean is its institutional architecture. It was decided at the Paris Summit to provide the Union with a whole set of institutions in order to up-grade the political level of its relations, promote a further co-ownership of the initiative among the EU and Mediterranean partner countries and improve the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership's visibility.[17][43]
Biennial summits of heads of state and government
A summit of heads of state and government is intended to be held every two years to foster political dialogue at the highest level. According to the Paris Declaration:
- these summits should produce a joint declaration addressing the situation and challenges of the Euro-Mediterranean region, assessing the works of the Partnership and approving a two-year work program;[44]
- Ministers of Foreign Affairs should meet annually to monitor the implementation of the summit declaration and to prepare the agenda of subsequent summits;[44] and
- the host country of the summits would be chosen upon consensus and should alternate between EU and Mediterranean countries.[44]
The first summit was held in Paris in July 2008. The second summit should have taken place in a non-EU country in July 2010 but the Euro-Mediterranean countries agreed to hold the summit in Barcelona on 7 June 2010, under the Spanish presidency of the EU, instead.[45] However, on 20 May the Egyptian and French co-presidency along with Spain decided to postpone the summit, in a move which they described as being intended to give more time to the indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority that had started that month. In contrast, the Spanish media blamed the postponement on the Arab threat to boycott the summit if Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Foreign Affairs conference prior to the summit.[46]
After the initial postponement, both France and Spain announced their intentions to hold peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority as part of the postponed summit under the auspices of the US. In September, U.S. President Barack Obama was invited to the summit for this purpose. The summit which was then scheduled to take place in Barcelona on 21 November 2010,[47] was according to Nicolas Sarkozy, the summit was "an occasion to support the negotiations."[48]
Nevertheless, at the beginning of November 2010 the peace talks stalled, and the Egyptian co-presidents conditioned the occurrence of the summit on a gesture from Israel that would allow the negotiations to resume. According to some experts Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of the construction of 1,300 new settlements in East Jerusalem ended all the possibilities of celebrating the summit on 21 November.[49] The two co-presidencies and Spain decided on 15 November to postpone the summit sine die, alleging that the stagnation of the Middle East Peace Process would hinder a "satisfactory participation."[50]
North and South Co-presidency system
With the purpose of guaranteeing the co-ownership of the Union for the Mediterranean, the Heads of State and Government decided in Paris that two countries, one from the EU and one from the Mediterranean partner countries, will jointly preside the Union for the Mediterranean. The 27 agreed that the EU co-presidency had to "be compatible with the external representation of the European Union in accordance with the Treaty provisions in force."[17] The Mediterranean partner countries decided to choose by consensus and among themselves a country to hold the co-presidency for a non-renewable period of two years."[17]
At the time of the Paris summit, France — which was in charge of the EU presidency — and Egypt held the co-presidency. Since then, France had been signing agreements with the different rotator presidencies of the EU (the Czech Republic, Sweden and Spain) in order to maintain the co-presidency for alongside Egypt.[1] The renewal of the co-presidency was supposed to happen on the second Union for the Mediterranean Summit. However, due to the two postponements of the summit, there has been no chance to decide which countries will take over the co-presidency. Spain had planned to replace France as the EU co-presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean. However, Belgium — the country presiding the EU for the second half of 2010 — opposed the Spanish aspirations.
In June 2012 the secretariat announced that the co-presidency of Egypt would be succeeded by Jordan. The change which is to take place in September 2012 was decided at a meeting of the high representatives in Barcelona on 28 June.[42]
The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean was inaugurated on March 4, 2010 in an official ceremony in Barcelona.[51]
The task of the permanent Secretariat is to identify and monitor the implementation of concrete projects for the Euro-Mediterranean region, and to search for partners to finance these projects.[52]
The Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs decided at the Marseilles conference of November 2008 that the headquarters of the Secretariat would be at the Royal Palace of Pedralbes in Barcelona.[53] They also agreed on the structure of this new key institution and the countries of origin of its first members:
- The Secretary General is elected by consensus from a non-EU country. His term is for three years, which may be extended for another three.[52] The first Secretary General was the Jordanian Ahmad Khalaf Masa'deh, the former Ambassador of Jordan to the EU, Belgium, Norway and Luxembourg, and Minister of Public Sector Reform from 2004–2005.[54] He resigned after one year in office.[55] In March 2012 the Moroccan deputy foreign minister, Youssef Amrani was replaced as Secretary General by fellow Moroccan Fathallah Sijilmassi.[42][56]
- In order to enhance the co-ownership of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, six posts of Deputy Secretaries General were assigned to three countries from the EU and three from the Mediterranean partner countries. For the first term of three years (extendible to another three) the Deputy Secretaries General were:[57]
- Mrs. Teresa Ribeiro (Portugal) - Energy Division;
- Prof. Ilan Chet (Israel) - Higher Education and Research Division;
- Mr. Claudio Cortese (Italy) - Business Development Division;
- Amb. Delphine Borione (France) - Social and Civil Affairs Division;
- Dr. Rafiq Husseini (Palestine) - Water and Environment Division;
- Amb. Yigit Alpogan (Turkey) - Transport and Urban Development Division.
The Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean was inaugurated on March 2010 in an official ceremony in Barcelona.[51]
Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly
The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) is not a new institution inside the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership framework. It was established in Naples on 3 December 2003 by the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs and had its first plenary session in Athens on 22–23 March 2004. The EMPA gathers parliamentarians from the Euro-Mediterranean countries and has four permanent committees on the following issues:[58]
- Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights
- Economic, Financial and Social Affairs and Education
- Promotion of the Quality of Life, Human Exchanges and Culture
- Women's Rights in the Euro-Mediterranean Countries
The EMPA also has an ad hoc committee on Energy and Environment. Since the launch of the Union for the Mediterranean, the EMPA's role has been strengthened for it is considered the "legitimate parliamentary expression of the Union".[17]
Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly
At the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Affairs Conference held in Marseilles on November 2008, the Ministers welcomed the EU Committee of the Regions proposal to establish a Euro-Mediterranean Assembly of Local and Regional Authorities (ARLEM in French). Its aim is to bridge between the local and regional representatives of the 43 countries with the Union for the Mediterranean and EU institutions.[59]
The EU participants are the members of the EU Committee of the Regions, as well as representatives from other EU institutions engaged with the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. From the Mediterranean partner countries, the participants are representatives of regional and local authorities appointed by their national governments. The ARLEM was formally established and held its first plenary session in Barcelona on 31 January 2010. The ARLEM's co-presidency is held by the President of the EU Committee of the Regions, Luc Van den Brande, and the Moroccan mayor of Al Hoceima, Mohammed Boudra.[60]
Anna Lindh Foundation
The Anna Lindh Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures, with headquarters are in Alexandria, Egypt, was established in April 2005. It is a network for the civil society organisations of the Euro-Mediterranean countries, aiming at the promotion of intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.[61]
At the Paris Summit it was agreed that the Anna Lindh Foundation, along with the UN Alliance of Civilizations will be in charge of the cultural dimension of the Union for the Mediterranean.[17]
In September 2010 the Anna Lindh Foundation published a report called "EuroMed Intercultural Trends 2010."[62] This evaluation about mutual perceptions and the visibility of the Union of the Mediterranean across the region is based on a Gallup Public Opinion Survey in which 13,000 people from the Union of the Mediterranean countries participated.
The Paris Declaration states that contributions for the Union for the Mediterranean will have to develop the capacity to attract funding from "the private sector participation; contributions from the EU budget and all partners; contributions from other countries, international financial institutions and regional entities; the Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership Facility (FEMIP); the ENPI", among other possible instruments,[17]
- The European Commission contributes to the Union for the Mediterranean through the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (ENPI). In July 2009 the ENPI allocated €72 million for the following Union for the Mediterranean projects during 2009–2010:[63]
- De-pollution of the Mediterranean (€22 million).
- Maritime and land highways (€7.5 million).
- Alternative energies: Mediterranean Solar Plan (€5 million).
- Euro-Mediterranean University of Slovenia (€1 million)
- The European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) came into force in 2014. It is the financial arm of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU's foreign policy towards its neighbours to the East and to the South. It has a budget of €15.4 billion and will provide the bulk of funding through a number of programmes. The ENI, effective from 2014 to 2020, replaces the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – known as the ENPI.
- The European Investment Bank contributes to the Union for the Mediterranean through its Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP). Specifically, the FEMIP was mandated by the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Finance on 2008 to support three of the six concrete projects: the de-pollution of the Mediterranean; alternative energies; and maritime and land highways.[64] Following the June 2012 meeting the EIB announced it would give 500 million euros to support projects for the UfM.[42]
- The InfraMed Infrastructure Fund was established in June 2010 by five financial entities: the French Caisse des Dépôts, the Moroccan Caisse de Dépôts et de Gestion, the Egyptian EFG Hermes, the Italian Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and the European Investment Bank. On an initial phase, the Fund will contribute €385 million to the Secretariat's projects on infrastructure.[65]
- The World Bank has allocated $750 million for the renewable energy project through the Clean Technology Fund.[1]
Impact of conflicts between member countries
Among the 43 member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean, there are three unresolved conflicts that hinder the works of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership: the Arab-Israeli, Cyprus-Turkish and Western Sahara (which, unlike the Palestinian Authority, is not part of the Union for the Mediterranean.)[66] The European Union Ambassador to Morocco, Eneko Landaburu, stated on September 2010 that he does "not believe" in the Union for the Mediterranean. According to him, the division among the Arabs "does not allow to implement a strong inter-regional policy", and calls to leave this ambitious project of 43 countries behind and focus on bilateral relations.[67]
The fact that all the decisions, from the lowest to the highest level, in the Union for the Mediterranean are taken "by the principle of consensus"[17] facilitates the blockage of the Partnership's work every time tensions rise between the countries involved in these conflicts.[68]
Due to its seriousness, the Arab-Israeli conflict is the one that most deeply affects the Union for the Mediterranean.[68] As a result of Israel's operation against the Hamas regime in Gaza Strip at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, the Arab Group refused to meet at high level, thus blocking all the ministerial meetings scheduled for the first half of 2009.[69] As well, the refusal of the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs to meet with their Israeli counterpart, Avigdor Lieberman, resulted in the cancellation of two ministerial meetings on Foreign Affairs on November 2009 and June 2010.[70] Sectorial meetings of the Union for the Mediterranean have also been affected by Arab attempts to push forward an anti-Israel ideology. At the Euro-Mediterranean ministerial meeting on Water, held in Barcelona on April 2010, the Water Strategy was not approved due to a terminological disagreement of whether to refer to territories claimed by Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese as "occupied territories" or "territories under occupation."[71] Two other ministerial meetings, on higher education and agriculture, had to be cancelled because of the same discrepancy.[72]
The conflict between Turkey and Cyprus has been responsible for the delay in the endorsement of the statutes of the Secretariat,[73] which were only approved in March 2010 even though the Marseille declaration set May 2009 as the deadline for the Secretariat to start functioning.[74] At the Paris summit, the Heads of State and Government agreed to establish five Deputy Secretaries General from Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta and the Palestinian Authority. Turkey's desire to have a Deputy Secretary General and Cyprus' rejection of it, resulted in months of negotiation until Cyprus finally approved the creation of a sixth Deputy Secreaty General post assigned to a Turkish citizen.[73]
Western Sahara is a source of conflict between Algeria and Morocco. The lack of diplomatic relations among these two countries, along with the unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of Western Sahara, prevent the implementation of any intra-Maghreb projects,[75] such as the railway and highway initiatives, as the stagnation of the Arab Maghreb Union proves.[76]
List of Sectorial Ministerial meetings
- Economic-Financial Meeting, 7 October 2008, Luxembourg. Conclusions.
- Industry, 5–6 November 2008, Nice (France). Conclusions.
- Employment and Labor, 9–10 November 2008, Marrakech (Morocco). Conclusions.
- Health, 11 November 2008, Cairo (Egypt). Conslusions.
- Water, 22 December 2008, Amman (Jordan). Conclusions.
- Sustainable Development, 25 June 2009, Paris (France). Conclusions.
- Economic-Financial Meeting, 7 July 2009, Brussels (Belgium). Conslusions.
- Strengthening the Role of Women in Society, 11–12 November, Marrakech (Morocco). Conclusions.
- Trade, 9 December 2009, Brussels (Belgium). Conclusions.
- Water, 21–22 April 2010, Barcelona (Spain).
- Tourism, 20 May 2010, Barcelona (Spain).
See also
- European Neighbourhood Policy
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
- Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "El Partenariado Euro-Mediterráneo: del Proceso de Barcelona a la Unión por el Mediterráneo" (in Spanish). Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Camilleri, Ivan (13 September 2011). "Med Union wants Libya as full member". Times of Malta. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ↑ Abu Najm, Michel (2013-10-26). "Libyan FM on Border Security, Militias". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
- ↑ The Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs gathered at Marseilles on November 2008, agreed that the League of the Arab States "shall participate in all meetings at all levels" of the Union for the Mediterranean. Prior to this decision, the Arab League had been participating in Ministerial Meetings of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership but was not allowed in the preparatory meetings.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Final Statement of the Marseille Meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs (PDF). 3–4 November 2008. p. 1.
- ↑ Khader, Bichara (2009). Europa por el Mediterráneo. De Barcelona a Barcelona (1995–2009) (in Spanish). Icaria. p. 23. ISBN 978-84-9888-107-3.
- ↑ Barcelona Declaration, adopted at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference (PDF). 27–28 November 1995.
- ↑ Khader, Bichara (2009). Europa por el Mediterráneo. De Barcelona a Barcelona (1995–2009) (in Spanish). Icaria. p. 27. ISBN 978-84-9888-107-3.
- ↑ Montobbio, Manuel (2009). "Coming Home.Albania in the Barcelona Process:Union for the Mediterranean" (PDF). Anuario (IEMed). Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ http://www.euromedbarcelona.org/EN/PtoEncuentro/ACptoEncuentro/index.html
- ↑ "Mediterranean Heritage projects page". Retrieved 19 December 2010.
- ↑ Khader, Bishara (2009). Europa por el Mediterráneo. De Barcelona a Barcelona (1995–2009) (in Spanish). Icaria. pp. 23–24. ISBN 978-84-9888-107-3.
- ↑ "Barcelona: Report on a Predicted Failure". Voltaire. 14 December 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ "Editorial: Summit Drama – and Beyond" (PDF) (2). EuroMesco. December 2005.
- ↑ Cruz, Marisa (28 November 2005). "España y sus socios europeos asumen que la Cumbre puede saldarse hoy con un fracaso". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ "La cumbre de Barcelona consigue acordar un Código de Conducta Antiterrorista". El Pais (in Spanish). 28 November 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean (PDF). 13 July 2008. p. 12.
- ↑ Fernández, Haizam Amirah; Youngs, Richard (30 November 2005). "The Barcelona Process: An Assessment of a Decade of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership" (PDF). Real Instituto Elcano (137). Retrieved 30 October 2010.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Borrell, Josep (Autumn 2010). "Yes the Barcelona Process was "mission impossible", but the EU can learn from that". EuropesWorld. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ "Partial setback for Barcelona summit". Magharebia. 30 November 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Khader, Bichara (2009). Europa por el Mediterráneo. De Barcelona a Barcelona (1995–2009) (in Spanish). Icaria. p. 21. ISBN 978-84-9888-107-3.
- ↑ Soler i Lechaq, Eduard (February 2008). "España y el Mediterráneo:" (PDF). España en Europa 2004–2008 (in Spanish) 4 (Observatorio de Política Exterior, Institut Universitari d'Estudis Europeus). Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Holm, Carl (13 February 2007). "Sparks Expected to Fly Whoever Becomes France's President". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ↑ Bennhold, Katrin; Burnett, Victoria; Kiefer, Peter (10 May 2007). "Sarkozy's proposal for Mediterranean bloc makes waves". International Herald Tribune (The New York Times). Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ↑ Goldirova, Renata (25 October 2007). "France muddies waters with 'Mediterranean Union' idea". EUobserver.
- ↑ Mediterranean Union: EJP 7 May 2007
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Turkey, reassured on EU, backs 'Club Med' plan, The Guardian 4 March 2008.
- ↑ "Sarkozy Gets Italy, Spain on Board for "Mediterranean Union"". Deutsche Welle. 21 December 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
- ↑ Sarkozy Karamanlis talks
- ↑ Mahony, Honor (6 December 2007). "Merkel criticises Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union plans". EUobserver.
- ↑ Keller, Caroline (17 January 2008). "Slovenia criticises French Mediterranean Union proposal". EUobserver.
- ↑ Behr, Timo; Ruth Hanau Santini (12 November 2007). "Comment: Sarkozy's Mediterranean union plans should worry Brussels". EUobserver.
- ↑ Vucheva, Elitsa (27 February 2008) France says it has no preferred EU president candidate, EU Observer
- ↑ "EU Leaders Show Muted Enthusiasm for Club Med Plans". Der Spiegel. 14 March 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
- ↑ Balmer, Crispian (4 March 2008) Sarkozy's Med dream deflated by Germany, Reuters
- ↑ "43 pays à Paris pour lancer l'Union pour la Méditerranée". EurActiv.fr (in French). 13 July 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ "Nicolas Sarkozy's New 'Club Med'". Der Spiegel. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Final Statement of the Marseille Meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs (PDF). 3–4 November 2008. p. 4.
- ↑ Final Statement of the Marseille Meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs (PDF). 3–4 November 2008. pp. 20–21.
- ↑ "Mediterranean efforts for renewable energy united – UfM and Dii join forces" (Press release). EcoSeed. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ↑ Final Statement of the Marseille Meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs (PDF). 3–4 November 2008. p. 21.
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 "UfM: Jordan to hold co-presidency of south Med from Sept.". ANSAmed. 29 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
- ↑ Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean, 13 July 2008, p. 13
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean (PDF). 13 July 2008. p. 13.
- ↑ "La Cumbre de la Unión por el Mediterráneo se celebrará en Barcelona en junio de 2010". El País (in Spanish). 10 September 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "El actual conflicto árabe-israelí obliga a aplazar la cumbre de Barcelona". El Periódico Mediterráneo (in Spanish). 21 May 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "El Consejo de Europa confirma que se celebrará la cumbre euro-mediterráneo de noviembre en Barcelona". Medlognews (in Spanish). 16 September 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "El Gobierno español quiere a Obama en la Cumbre Mediterránea de noviembre". MedLog Newa (in Spanish). 9 June 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
- ↑ "España da por imposible la cumbre mediterránea de Barcelona". El Pais (in Spanish). 10 November 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
- ↑ "Postponement of the Union for the Mediterranean Summit". La Moncloa. Retrieved 9 December 2010.[dead link]
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 "La Unión por el Mediterráneo ya ejerce en Barcelona". Medlognews (in Spanish). 6 March 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 Final Statement of the Marseille Meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs (PDF). 3–4 November 2008. p. 6.
- ↑ "Barcelona, capital del Mediterráneo". El País (in Spanish). 5 November 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Biography: H.E. Dr. Ahmad Masa'deh" (PDF). Generalitat de Catalunya, Secretaria per a la Unió Europea. 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- ↑ "Dimite el secretario de la Unión por el Mediterráneo tras un año en el cargo". La vanguardia (in Spanish). EFE. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- ↑ "Planning minister, international experts discuss economic situation in Jordan". Amman, Jordan. Jordan News Agency. 6 June 2012. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ↑ "El Secretariado de Barcelona camina a trancas y barrancas". El periódico (in Spanish). 28 October 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ "Euro-Mediterranean Assembly". Mediterranean Commission, United Cities and Local Governments. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "What is the ARLEM?". EU Committee of the Regions. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "ARLEM". Council of European Municipalities and Regions. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Anna Lindh Foundation". Anna Lindh Foundation. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Anna Lindh Report 2010". Anna Lindh Foundation. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Union for the Mediterranean: Commission increases its contribution to priority projects". ENPI, Union for the Mediterranean. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ "FEMIP and the Union for the Mediterranean". EIB. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ "Cinco entidades financieras crean el primer fondo de inversión en infraestructuras para el Mediterráneo". 26 May 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Khader, Bichara (2009). Europa por el Mediterráneo. De Barcelona a Barcelona (1995–2009) (in Spanish). Icaria. p. 205. ISBN 978-84-9888-107-3.
- ↑ "El embajador de la UE en Marruecos "no cree" en la Unión por el Mediterráneo". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 28 September 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ 68.0 68.1 de la Vaissiere, Jean-Louis (14 April 2010). "La Unión por el Mediterráneo todavía está lejos de servir como motor de paz". AFP (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Martín, Iván (9 December 2009). "Las prioridades de la Presidencia española de la UE en el Mediterráneo: ser y deber ser (ARI)". Real Instituto Elcano (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Radigales, Montserrat (21 May 2010). "El actual conflicto árabe-israelí obliga a aplazar la cumbre de Barcelona". El Periódico Mediterráneo (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ "La Unión por el Mediterráneo no logra una estrategia común sobre el agua". El Mundo (in Spanish). 13 April 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Radigales, Montserrat (28 October 2010). "La Unión por el Mediterráneo, atascada, se juega el futuro". El Periódico (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ 73.0 73.1 "La UpM aprueba hoy sus estatutos y lanza la capitalidad mediterránea de Barcelona". EcoDiario (in Spanish). 3 March 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Final Statement of the Marseille Meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs (PDF). 3–4 November 2008. p. 7.
- ↑ "Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union on Hold". Europafrica. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
- ↑ Martínez, Luis (October 2006). "Algeria, the Arab Magrheb Union and regional integration" (PDF). EuroMesco. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
External links
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Union for the Mediterranean.
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The Original Gypsy Fair is proud to announce their return to Pukekohe Intermediate School. Right across the road from Pac n Save.
Christmas is rolling closer, Auckland! The Gypsy Fair is a great place to grab those unique, hand-crafted, NZ made, or unique import gifts for your family and friends - not to mention the great atmosphere, loads of fun for the kids big and small, free entertainment and free entry. See you there!
Popular famous fair that comes to town only once a year, featuring thirty Gypsy families in interesting house-trucks and buses. Come check out these fabulous homes.
Wooden crafts, tarot reading, palm reading, open home, crystals, herbal products, LuckyStar coffee, funky clothes, silver jewellery, Dutch Ollie Bollen, food, candyfloss, glass blowing, bouncy castle, hip accessories, tattooing and piercing, hand painted craft, pony rides, fork art, leather, open home and lots, lots more.
Live music all day from our resident musician, Carlos. Sparkle Show - stilts and unicycles @ 10:30am. Fire show by our village children @ 2:30pm. Musos welcome, contact our stage manager.
Come along for a great weekend out.
Join our Facebook page as well (Original Gypsy Fair).
We are always on the look out for new stall holders as well. If you are interested in joining this fantastic lifestyle full time and live in a house truck or housebus please contact us. (Our season runs from mid Sept till early May).

subset: commoncrawl


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CHARLOTTE — It is Tuesday night on Tryon Street, and rain is falling, um, liberally, as if an unseen force is equalizing the weather disadvantages allotted to the respective conventions of the nation's Republicans and Democrats.
Through the downpour walks a bearded man dressed in black-and-white 19th century splendor, his stovepipe hat elongating his already tall frame.
For a moment, Charlotte, forget President Obama; a legend walks among us.
Sam Miller.
Well, Sam Miller wearing his Abraham Lincoln disguise. His face is too round for an exact fit, missing the solemn gauntness of the man who saved the Union. And he is not campaigning for himself.
The sign he carries would make a Tea Partier blanch: "Republicans for Obama." It's as if the actual Honest Abe were campaigning for Stephen A. Douglas.
Charlotte-native Miller says when he heard the convention was coming to Charlotte, he had an inspiration.
"I was sitting around drinking in the living room with the family one night, and we were throwing around ideas and jokes," Miller says. "I decided, Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican, and so this kind of writes itself."
Miller says he has nothing but respect for Obama and the Democrats, but most of his political ideals tilt to the right, such as the way the GOP handles the economy and champions the free market.
"When I see this convention here in Charlotte, I'm thinking about how the business owners and the merchants are going to make more money," Miller says. "I mean, they're going to make an extra buck or two this convention, even if the taxpayers had to pay a little extra to support all the preparations and work."
While he was getting a mostly positive reception — several police officers asked to have their photos taken with him — the idea of Republicans supporting Obama was a hard sell this week.
"I'm not actually trying to change anyone's mind," he says, sounding Lincolnesque in his reasonable approach. "I just thought it would be a good way to get attention."
Before Miller can finish another sentence about how the Democrats and Republicans aren't that far apart on many issues, another person shouts, "Hey, Abe! Can I get a photo?"
Miller obliges with a grin, but quickly changes his expression to a more stoic Lincoln for the actual photograph.
"This has gotten more reaction than I ever thought it would," he says as he hoists his sign again. "I think I'll probably walk around more the rest of the days and then try to attend Obama's speech on Thursday."
As Miller makes his way down Tryon Street, one more passerby calls out: "Hey, Lincoln, stay out of theaters."
Follow The Mecklenburg Times as we cover Charlotte's week as host city for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Stay current with news, photos, Tweets and more with our continually updated feature, DNC HQ.


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Lately a few Oracle APEX related articles have been published which you should read.
- John Scott posted a whitepaper about "APEX – Delivering Pages in 3 Seconds or Less" which he held on Colab 07 in Las Vegas.
- Dimitri Gielis also posted the whitepaper of his presentation about "APEX by Example: Shared Components".
- The security section of the unOfficial APEX Wiki has been updated with a lot of additional information.


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Follow along as we blog live from the 85th annual Academy Awards. See photos from the red carpet, tweets from the stars, analysis of the show and more in our live blog below Sunday night.
Get slideshows of photos from the red carpet and the awards show on our Photo Galleries site here.


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Bits 'n Pieces
For three decades, owners Julie and John Hale have been in the quilt shop business, outgrowing two locations. Their Michigan quilt institution has seen quilting come around, and continues to throw quilters new curves.
Quilting in the Round
Their unique 10-sided building houses a quilting continuum from past to present. The space is much bigger than it appears, giving customers a remarkable shopping experience and endless inspiration.
Meet the Staff
From left: Nancy Meyer, Sharon E. Turley, Karen Johnson, Kathleen Connor, Susan McConnell, Sarah Kaiser, Connee Morris, Julie Hale (co-owner), and John Hale (co-owner).
Interesting Interior
The building's shape creates interesting challenges for display. But clever hanging of quilts near companion fabrics simplifies shopping. "We try to offer a variety," Julie says.
Center of the Class
The center of the building houses the shop's classroom. They offer embroidery, serger instruction, and basic quilting method classes. The Sewing Machine Club, Serger Club, and Saturday Sampler group meet monthly, offering quilters an escape from their fast-paced lifestyles.
Themed for Success
Quilts, fabrics, and wearables are colorfully clustered in themed groupings. Whether Americana, batik, bright, or floral prints, the shop's fabrics find their way into quilted samples, providing a kaleidoscope of ideas.
Past and Present
This modern day tote made with traditional fabrics shows how old and new come together at Bits 'n Pieces. "One quilt store can't have it all—no matter how big they are—but we try to offer something for everyone," Julie says.
Giving Back
The Americana theme continues to be popular at Bits ''n Pieces. For one year, beginning September 12, 2001, the shop donated 100 percent of the proceeds from its Old Glory pattern, hanging over the cupboard, to the American Red Cross.
For more information about Bits 'n Pieces, visit www.bitsnpieces.net.


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MIAMI — Landon Donovan will not play for the U.S. national team in two upcoming World Cup qualifiers because of an injured left knee.
U.S. Soccer announced the decision Tuesday, hours after coach Jurgen Klinsmann said the team was "very, very positive" that Donovan would be available for the games — Friday against Antigua and Barbuda, then Oct. 16 against Guatemala.
Donovan, the leading scorer in U.S. national team history, is not expected to be replaced on the roster.
The severity of Donovan's injury is unclear. U.S. Soccer said he will return to Los Angeles for further evaluation. Donovan was hurt Saturday while playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Also ruled out for the qualifiers is Brek Shea because of an abdominal injury.


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I understand biblical regeneration to occur at one moment in time, when a heart of stone is changed to a heart of flesh, i.e., when we recognize our sinfulness, repent of our sin, and put our faith in Jesus Christ. That being said, I often hear of regeneration being referred to or thought of as a process, something taking a long time.
Two questions: Does Scripture support any idea of a person seeking God for a period of time before God regenerates them (hence the idea of a process)? And, once God regenerates someone, could it take a period of time for them to actually see fruit or know that they are saved (for instance, young children)? Thanks!
Thank you for your questions.
You asked, first, Does Scripture support any idea of a person seeking God for a period of time before God regenerates them (hence the idea of a process)?
No, this is not supported by Scripture. Romans 3:11 tells us that no one seeks God. Psalm 10:7 says that the wicked (and all of us are wicked by nature, being fallen sinners) do not have God in their thoughts, they do not seek God. Before regeneration, all men are dead in their trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). So regeneration is necessarily prior to a person's seeking God.
Your second question is, Once God regenerates someone, could it take a period of time for them to actually see fruit or know that they are saved (for instance, young children)?
The answer is, Yes, it might take a period of time before a regenerate person comes to assurance of faith. It took John Bunyan about 18 months after realizing his need of salvation before he finally came to understand that he was forgiven. The Westminster Confession says assurance is not so tied to faith that everyone avoids this kind of struggle.
The Christian life is one that involves growth and we do not always see fruit or recognize fruit right away. You may struggle to gain assurance, but know that the Lord will give it to you if you seek it:
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)
"What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:31-39).
About Q&A
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
The questions come from individuals like yourself. If you have questions about biblical and theological matters, you are invited to send them by e-mail by using the "Pose a Question" link on the OPC home page or by clicking here.
At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
The purpose of the OPC website's "Questions and Answers" is to respond to biblical and theological questions. Matters of church discipline, disputes, or debates go beyond the scope of our work. We recommend that you present your concerns in these areas to the appropriate judicatory. In most cases this will be to a local pastor, elder, or session. We do not want the website to replace personal involvement in, or commitment to, the local, visible church.
While we will respond to every serious questioner, we are not bound to give a substantive answer to every question, should we deem the question to be beyond the scope of our purpose or our own ability to answer.
You will receive an answer by e-mail. Please be patient as many of our respondents are busy pastors. The response to your question may take up to two (2) weeks. Some of the questions submitted will be chosen to be posted here, along with the corresponding answers.
Note that the "Questions and Answers" posted on the site have been editedall personal references are removed, Scripture references or from some source may be added, and sometimes portions are expandedto make the questions and answers more useful to a larger audience.
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Chaplains and Military Personnel


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Okay guys. Here is a tribute thread and poll disguised as a team selection exercise.
I propose we select an ODI XI consisting of players who played at least 100 matches in the positions we select them between Dec 18, 1989 and March 18, 2012 when Sachin played his first and last ODI games respectively.
The said period covers 6 world cups and numerous multi national tournaments. We saw ODI cricket giving up white clothing and red balls altogether and end up as day night ventures most of the time in colored clothing and white ball. The bouncer restriction rule changed a bit; new fielding restrictions and no ball/ free-hit rules entered the cricketing jargon, as did power plays.
One guy managed to stay on top his game from the time germany united till iPad mini hit the markets; Let us select the Best XI of his era. I will create separate threads for specific positions. We can keep the overall discussion in this thread.


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Free Entry
Paradise Centre, the largest Shopping Centre in Surfers Paradise, is located on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Cavill Mall and boasts a 100 metre frontage opposite the world famous Surfers Paradise Beach.
With over 90 stores complemented by an alfresco dining precinct and an exciting entertainment precinct, Paradise Centre offers a memorable holiday experience. You'll find interesting shops to explore, with everything from beach, swim and resort wear to funky fashion and carefree casual all under one roof.
There's a selection of dining options for every occasion, with a wide array of flavours to tempt your taste buds. Soak in the relaxed casual atmosphere and dine alfresco style at one of their restaurants or cafes in Cavill Mall or try the famous Hard Rock Cafe!
There's also plenty of action and adventure for the whole family located on Level One including Tenpin bowling, Timezone the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and the Australian Shooting Academy.
For your convenience, Paradise Centre offers a Woolworths supermarket, Australia Post and is open until late each evening. Undercover parking is available off Hanlan Street.
For further details and comprehensive retailers list, please visit their web site.


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Trackwork Notes – Wednesday March 28, 2012
Group 1 US$10 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline
Eishin Flash - Did a fast workout on the all-weather track. Trainer Hideaki Fujiwara had the jockey Yuichi Fukunaga, sit on this horse this morning.
Trainer Fujiwara commented, "Eishin Flash galloped very well, which was as scheduled. I imagine that the race will become tough especially in the closing stage, so it was a good preparation for the race. He is very relaxed even in the different surroundings, and this is his talent, and he is the horse who can handle it.What I do is to do my best and keep his best condition until the race."
Game On Dude - Multiple graded stakes winner Game On Dude jogged 1,600m at Meydan on Wednesday morning, in preparation for Saturday.
Trainer Tim Yakteen, who is overseeing the Bob Baffert-trained horses, was pleased with how both Game On Dude and Dubai Golden Shaheen contender, The Factor, were doing.
"They came out of their works great," said Yakteen. "They are both doing really well. They haven't backed out of their feed tubs at all and we are really happy with them."
Jockey Chantal Sutherland, who is seeking to become the first female jockey to win the Dubai World Cup, arrived at the track later that morning and greeted a throng of reporters.
Sutherland, also a fashion model and actress, took time to strike a pose in the starting gate for photographers, donning white True Religion jeans and a hot pink flak jacket.
The two-time Sovereign Award winner then hopped on a horse trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe and cantered around the Meydan main track to get a feel of the all-weather surface.
Later, Sutherland left Meydan with Bernie Schiappa, co-owner of Game On Dude, to visit Bob Baffert.
Planteur – The winner of the Group 1 Prix Ganay last year for Ellie Lellouche, the five-year-old will have his first start for Marco Botti on Dubai World Cup night and will clear quarantine tomorrow morning.
Royal Delta - With trainer Bill Mott and owner Benjamin Leon looking on, American champion filly Royal Delta picked up her pace down the Meydan stretch on March 28, galloping at a faster clip than she had been training earlier this week while covering approximately 600m as a sharpener before the race on Saturday.
"She was very kind going around," said Leana Willaford, Mott's assistant who rides Royal Delta in her morning exercise, after completing a circuit of the track. "We just let her stretch her legs and open up her lungs a little down the stretch. As usual, her ears were pricked the whole way around and she came home to the barn as happy as can be."
While the Meydan reported Royal Delta's time for the 600m (about three furlongs) at :38.50, Willaford said the exercise was not intended to be a workout for speed.
"We felt it was better to do a little less than to do too much this close to the race," she said.
Leon and Mott visited Royal Delta in the quarantine barn area later in the morning. The four-year-old daughter of Empire Maker, who was purchased by Leon for US$8.5-million at auction last fall, has won five of nine career starts with only one unplaced effort, which came in her second career start.
Smart Falcon – The Japanese contender stayed at the quarantine stable area this morning.
Trainer Ken Kozaki commented, "We have been targeting the Dubai World Cup since last year and planned his race schedule for the race, so we are very honored to be invited to the race.
"Smart Falcon is a more talented horse than we think, and what I have to do is to keep his condition.He has beaten Transcend last year, but Transcend is a very good and strong horse, and Eishin Flash is a Japanese Derby winner, and in addition to that, all other members in the field must be very good horses. So I always think my horse is a challenger."
So You Think - The six-strong Ballydoyle contingent emerged from quarantine for their first collective glimpse of Meydan racecourse. Led out by Dubai World Cup contender So You Think, the sextet walked around the outer of the main track for one circuit before turning at the winning post to canter for one circuit the right way round.
So You Think led Daddy Long Legs, Await The Dawn, St Nicholas Abbey, Wrote and Treasure Beach. At the conclusion of exercise there was much collective interplay among the riders and their horses, all of which looked spritely.
"They had a good look around and we are very happy," said Ballydoyle's travelling head lad, Pat Keating. "I`ll talk to Aidan (O`Brien) tonight, and he`ll decide what they`ll do tomorrow and Friday."
Trancend – Last year's Dubai World Cup runner-up worked with a half-gallop on the all-weather track. Trainer Takayuki Yasuda, who took the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen with a champion sprinter or miler Curren Chan on the previous weekend, arrived in Dubai this morning and watched his horse's morning work.
Yasuda commented, "We gave him a fast breeze on Sunday, so he did only a half-gallop today.In his previous start (Group 1 February Stakes), the pace was too high for him, which made him uncharacteristically fell behind and raced poor seventh. He is in a good condition, as the same time of last year when he finished second in the Dubai World Cup, but I hope he will not be tied to the lost. I would like to have the outsider than middle in the draw, for not to be sandwiched inside.The owner will join and take the draw. The 1,800m or 2,000m is his best distance, and the all-weather, which needs some power, should suit him."
Zazou - The Waldemar Hickst-trained Zazou came onto the all-weather today for a slow canter. He was ridden by regular work rider Radich Hennig who said: "We went out onto the all-weather for a slow canter. Everything is good. The horse is in great form. He has eaten. He drinks a lot and has only lost five kilos."
Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines
Beaten Up – William Haggas's light-raced four-year-old arrived in Dubai on Tuesday night and is expected on track for the first time on Thursday.
Cirrus des Aigles - This morning, French trainer Corine Barande-Barbe was at the track to see Cirrus des Aigles on the all-weather. Ridden by regular work rider Zoe Gargoulaud, he went for a canter and his trainer said: "I have just arrived
during the night and saw my horse this morning. He seems to be very well and very happy. His eyes are bright and he has a good action. My lad tells me he is better than he was in Hong Kong. Maybe he likes the weather here."
Jakkalberry – The Marco Botti-handled six-year-old had some light exercise on the main all-weather track.
St Nicholas Abbey/Treasure Beach - The six-strong Ballydoyle contingent emerged from quarantine for their first collective glimpse of Meydan racecourse. Led out by Dubai World Cup contender So You Think, the sextet walked around the outer of the main track for one circuit before turning at the winning post to canter for one circuit the right way round.
So You Think led Daddy Long Legs, Await The Dawn, St Nicholas Abbey, Wrote and Treasure Beach. At the conclusion of exercise there was much collective interplay among the riders and their horses, all of which looked spritely.
"They had a good look around and we are very happy," said Ballydoyle's travelling head lad, Pat Keating. "I`ll talk to Aidan (O`Brien) tonight, and he`ll decide what they`ll do tomorrow and Friday."
Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free
Ambitious Dragon - Hong Kong champion Ambitious Dragon was again one of the first on the Meydan track on Wednesday morning under Beverley Millard and lobbed around the all-weather surface in his own time as he has done since Monday.
Content with the five time Group 1 winner's preparation, Millard said: "He is in very good order. He looks great and feels great. He looks around here a little bit compared to his routine back home but he is on the correct lead leg going the left-handed way; we did some prep work going the other way back home."
Await the Dawn - The six-strong Ballydoyle contingent emerged from quarantine for their first collective glimpse of Meydan racecourse. Led out by Dubai World Cup contender So You Think, the sextet walked around the outer of the main track for one circuit before turning at the winning post to canter for one circuit the right way round.
So You Think led Daddy Long Legs, Await The Dawn, St Nicholas Abbey, Wrote and Treasure Beach. At the conclusion of exercise there was much collective interplay among the riders and their horses, all of which looked spritely.
"They had a good look around and we are very happy," said Ballydoyle's travelling head lad, Pat Keating. "I`ll talk to Aidan (O`Brien) tonight, and he`ll decide what they`ll do tomorrow and Friday."
California Memory - Winner of the Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup in December, is on course to run a bold race, trainer Tony Cruz predicted. The grey gelding cantered on the turf track under his work rider with former champion trainer/jockey delighted with his build-up.
"I have had a few runners in this race before and I would say this would be my best chance," Cruz said in reference to unsuccessful previous bids with Beauty Flash, Floral Pegasus and Bullish Luck.
"The ground here is probably a little easier than what he is used to at home, but that won't worry him. He pulled a little sore last time after the (Hong Kong) Gold Cup so we have gone back to normal shoes with him and he's responding well to those. He will have another canter on the turf tomorrow probably."
Meydan clockers caught the last 600m of his move in 38 seconds flat.
Cityscape – Roger Charlton's six-year-old flew in from Stanstead, England, on Monday and is expected on the track Thursday morning.
Dark Shadow - Exercise rider Masanori Watanabe commented, "He responded very well and concentrated on the work.I think it was an ideal preparation. He is in a good form. He will hand walk around the stable tomorrow and do a routine work on the all-weather on Friday."
Dubawi Gold - Continues to tick over after completing his fast work on Monday. The four-year-old was led onto the main track before completing one circuit at his leisure.
"He just had an easy canter," said his rider, Ray McCarthy. "He has done all his work and is ready to roll on Saturday. We can't ask any more from him. He has done well since he arrived and all we can do now is hope for the best."
Presvis – Last year's Dubai Duty Free winner was out on the turf track Wednesday morning and trainer Luca Cumani said: "He has taken time to hit form this year but seems in good form and worked well this morning and I am happy with him."
Meydan clockers caught the defending champion in 42.8 seconds for 600m after splits of 12.5 seconds and 25.4 seconds
Rajsaman – the five-year-old horse takes his chance in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free and will be having his third run of the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe said: "He was a new horse in the yard and this has been the aim all along. Hopefully he has improved with each start and can run a big race in a race we won in 2010!"
Wigmore Hall – Winner of the 2010 Group 1 Jebel Hatta and third in this race last year, the five-year-old exercised under the watchful eye of trainer Michael Bell Wednesday morning.
Bell said: "He looks a lot fitter now and it was well documented that he was a lot heavier when he came out here this year. He is on really good terms with himself – he is squealing and is happy and seems in good shape on the track. They crawled in his prep run and he got shuffled back at a crucial stage. He needs a decent pace and luck in running but there doesn't look as though there is a natural front-runner in the race, which is a bit of a nuisance, but hopefully with all of that money on offer something will go on.
"He was unlucky in the Dubai Duty Free last year and I am sure he will run well. It does look a tough race but I do think the owner will be getting a cheque, but whether it is the winner's prize I am not sure."
Wigmore Hall was 1,000m timed by Meydan officials 1:09 flat after splits of 11.7 seconds and 39.5 seconds.
Xtension - John Moore was on hand for the first time this week to witness Xtension canter on the all-weather track under jockey Jeff Lloyd and the reigning Hong Kong champion trainer gave a bullish update on last year's Hong Kong Champions Mile winner.
"My team has done a great job in getting him here in such good shape and we're looking forward to the race on Saturday night. We feel he will run up to his best, but whether that will be good enough having been second on three occasions to Ambitious Dragon alone, we shall see. But he will run his race, I am confident of that," Moore said.
Group 1 US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News
Giant Ryan – After getting a little bit of a blowout on Tuesday, Giant Ryan had an easy goof it on Wednesday morning.
Appearing on the Meydan main course at about 6:15 a.m., the son of Freud galloped twice around the all-weather course with exercise rider James Heavey aboard.The duo took the first lap very easy and second one just a tad quicker.
"I want to take a little steam out of him this morning," explained trainer Biznath Parboo.
After the gallop, the six-year-old horse was taken to the starting gate where he stood in barrier number 3, the same stall from which he'll break in Saturday's Group 1 US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News. United States-based jockey Willie Martinez will have the mount.
Happy Dubai – The Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Happy Dubai faces 11 rivals, over the 1,200m all-weather course and distance he won a handicap three starts ago. His last run was a close second in Doha and the trainer said: "He was another real star at the 2011 Dubai World Cup Carnival and has run some good races again this season. He was very impressive when he won and has come back from Qatar in excellent form. Obviously it is a very good race but he has a nice low draw which should help."
Hitchens – Did not appear on the main track this morning.
Inxile – Did not appear on the main track this morning.
Iver Bridge Lad – After exercising under his trainer John Ryan on Tuesday, the five-year-old did not appear on the main track on Wednesday.
Rocket Man - Singapore superstar Rocket Man hacked on the all-weather after a quicker gallop on Tuesday with "all the work done," according to trainer Patrick Shaw ahead of his third date in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
"We will just keep him ticking over until Saturday but there is no change with his progress or well-being," Shaw said.
Sepoy - Had a quiet morning after his sparkling gallop yesterday. Trainer Peter Snowden is very satisfied with his condition and also with stablemate Helmet (UAE Derby) who did steady work over 1,200m.
The Factor - A handsome grey colt by War Front, The Factor, will be representing Fog City Stables and George Bolton on Saturday.
After walking in the quarantine area on Tuesday, The Factor returned to the main track on Wednesday morning and jogged 1,600m, under exercise rider George Alvarez. The dual Grade 1 winner flashed his usual style, extending his trot as he passed by the congregating international press.
"Bob says he's the best mover he's ever seen, in terms of his action," said co-owner George Bolton."We paid $250,000 for him and, at the time, that was a lot of money for a horse by a young sire like War Front.But he worked in 10-flat at the Barrett's two-year-old sale," Bolton continued."His whole advantage is the fact that he hardly touches the ground."
Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD
A Shin Virgo - Trainer Ken Kozaki commented, "Se showed a strong canter today.I think she could get the feel of the track. She is usually tense and sometimes nervous, but I was very surprised that she was not shying walking along the outside rail where lots of media were there. She likes the stretch course, and the hot weather must suit her."
Addictive Dream – The winner of two races at the Dubai World Cup Carnival was not on the main track this morning.
Better Be The One - Remained in the quarantine area as scheduled, though James Peters, assistant trainer to Michael Freedman, said jockey Kieren Fallon would be on board for a light workout on Thursday.
Eagle Regiment - A recent Group 1 winner down 1,000m chute at Sha Tin, made his first appearance on the turf track under assistant trainer Raymond Tsui and breezed well down the Meydan straight with trainer Manfred Man looking on.
"The horse seems very good. He lost about 30 pounds on the flight but he has since put back on 10 pounds and he is now at the same bodyweight of his last win, the Group 1 race in Hong Kong in January," Man observed.
"We tried him around the bend last time and he just doesn't handle it. It looks like he's just a horse for the straight 1,000m. He pulled up lame after that last run and missed about a week's work but he's fine now and he is coping well on his first trip outside Hong Kong. It's my first time to race outside Hong Kong too and he is probably doing better than me!"
Invincible Ash –Cantered without incident on the all-weather track under work rider Damien Melia.
Joy And Fun - The 2010 Al Quoz Sprint winner Joy And Fun remained in the quarantine area with Derek Cruz saying that he will bring his hardy perennial back to the main all-weather track on Thursday morning.
"Is he in the same sort of form now than he was when he won the race years ago? Yes, definitely. He would rate a good each-way bet, put it that way," Cruz remarked.
Margot Did – Jockey Hayley Turner was aboard last year's Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner and she exercised on the main track having finished eighth in her trial here on Super Saturday.
Trainer Michael Bell said: "I was delighted with her this morning and she looked completely on her 'A' game. She needed the run in her trial race and was only beaten just over four lengths. I am sure she has improved but it is a question whether she has improved enough to win the race. She is in very good form and I am very bullish of a really good run. I am happy with stall 16 as she doesn't like being crowded so she can get out and do her own thing from there."
Monsieur Joe/Prohibit – Neither Monsieur Joe, Robert Cowell's five-year-old, nor Prohibit, the Royal Ascot winner of last summer, made it out to the main track this morning.
Nocturnal Affair – Remained in the stabling area with a final exercise scheduled for Thursday at Meydan.
Ortensia – the six-year-old mare has flown under the radar a bit since her arrival in Dubai but trainer Paul Messara has kept her ticking over nicely.
Regally Ready - Breezed 800m on the Meydan turf course Wednesday morning in preparation for Saturday.
Assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen, Devron Leingang, looked on as exercise rider Jimmy Heavey put the son of More Than Ready through his paces.
"It was a good work," said Leingang. "He was nice and relaxed. They had the markers way out near the outside rail.(Co-assistant trainer) Scott Blasi and I had him in 25 and change for the last quarter," Leingang continued."He was right in there, right where we want him to be."
Regally Ready will walk for 30 minutes in the quarantine area on Thursday morning, as the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner looks to redeem himself from his most recent start at Meydan.
Despite the gelding's excellent condition, Leingang was wary of commenting on Regally Ready's chances on Saturday.
"I don't even want to say because his last race was so puzzling," he said. You have expectations going in, but I guess it just wasn't our day."
Secret Asset - Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam was at the quarantine barn on Wednesday morning, and confirmed that all was well with her sprint hope Secret Asset.
"He`s travelled well and is eating well, and I am happy enough with him. He had a racecourse gallop at Wolverhampton and worked at Newmarket last Friday before coming here. He`s a lot fitter than his trainer - I`ve got a touch of laryngitis!" she reported.
Sole Power – Finished 12th in this race last year and heads back into to the race after a short-head second in a conditions race here on Super Saturday.
Trainer Edward Lynam was on hand to supervise light exercise on the main track this morning and said: "He is in good form and did a solid piece of work yesterday which went well. He seems very well and his weight is good.
"He ran in the race last year off a seven-month break and was possibly a bit fresh but he definitely didn't run his race. As a three-year-old you could have accused him of being talented but inconsistent but he has been very good on his last three runs. Hopefully we will settle him in mid-division and save plenty for the finish. We were delighted with him last time out and hope for more of the same."
Irish hope Sole Power cantered on the all-weather under regular work partner David Mason.
Group 2 US$2 million UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group
Balada Sale - The Pascal Bary-trained filly Balada Sale went on the all-weather and did the same work as yesterday. Her regular work rider Christophe Bretez confirmed: "She did a three-quarter slow canter, followed by another three-quarter canter - just as she did yesterday."
Burano – Brian Meehan's recent Meydan winner enjoyed a gentle spin around the main track under his regular work rider.
Daddy Long Legs/Wrote - The six-strong Ballydoyle contingent emerged from quarantine for their first collective glimpse of Meydan racecourse. Led out by Dubai World Cup contender So You Think, the sextet walked around the outer of the main track for one circuit before turning at the winning post to canter for one circuit the right way round.
So You Think led Daddy Long Legs, Await The Dawn, St Nicholas Abbey, Wrote and Treasure Beach. At the conclusion of exercise there was much collective interplay among the riders and their horses, all of which looked spritely.
"They had a good look around and we are very happy," said Ballydoyle's travelling head lad, Pat Keating. "I`ll talk to Aidan (O`Brien) tonight, and he`ll decide what they`ll do tomorrow and Friday."
Entifaadha – Worked under jockey Richard Hills on Tuesday but did not appear on the main track on Wednesday and instead went to the training track.
Genten – the three-year-old colt did a steady canter over 1,000m on the all-weather.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi commented, "He changed the lead smoothly, his condition is very good. I think there is no hitch about Genten except for that he is still green as a three-year-old. The owner was also happy with his condition and he seems to enjoy here. I am very pleased to give the owner such an opportunity and it is my job. Craig Williams is scheduled to be up on Friday."
Helmet – the three-year-old chestnut colt did steady work over 1,200m. Trainer Peter Snowden is satisfied with his condition heading into Saturday's race.
Lucky Chappy - The good news for trainer Graham Motion's staff is that their UAE Derby contender Lucky Chappy seems to be flourishing in the desert sun.
If there is a downside to his peaking condition, it is that the Team Valor International runner has turned into something of a bucking bronco for assistant trainer Alice Clapham to ride in his morning work.
Arriving at the Meydan track on March 28 with Dubai World Cup entrant Royal Delta, Lucky Chappy dropped in behind the Ballydoyle string of six horses who were getting their first look of the sprawling complex after clearing quarantine while Royal Delta went off on her own.
Since the Ballydoyle string took one lap at a jog and another at a slow canter, Clapham had to steer Lucky Chappy around them for clear room to gallop. Without a workmate to follow, the Irish-bred High Chaparral colt started to express his high spirits, and as he galloped out of the stretch and around the turn, he bucked several times.
"That's basically him. That's why we like him to have company in the mornings," Clapham said. "He's feeling really good and that's half his problem."
Clapham said she tries to stay quiet in the saddle and use finesse to keep Lucky Chappy focused on his work. If a rider tries to be forceful with him, he will become more unsettled and fight back, she said.
Lucky Chappy galloped about 2,000m (approximately 1 ¼ miles) as Motion watched from the grandstand side of the track. Other than the challenge of keeping Lucky Chappy on the ground, Clapham said nothing could be better with the colt.
"He seems to be thriving out here," she said.
Red Duke – Another of the British runners to have arrived on Monday and John Quinn's three-year-old Hard Spun colt could make his first track appearance on Thursday.
Yang Tse Kiang - Trained by Richard Chotard, went on the All-weather under regular work rider Julian Guyot who said: "Today he cantered over 1,300m on the all-weather. He is well and I'm happy with him."
Group 3 US$1 million Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors
Barbican – The sole runner from the Alan Bailey yard touched down on Monday and could make a first track appearance on Thursday.
Joshua Tree – Marco Botti's runner had a gentle spin around the main track this morning.
Kasbah Bliss - Trained by François Doumen, the ten-year-old gelding came onto the track for a canter and his regular work rider confirmed: "He seems fine and relaxed."
Makani Bisty – Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said, "After the Monday trackwork, actually Makani Bisty had a small accident and hurt him a bit in a right front hoof due to the firm track condition on all-weather.He has been back in the condition up to now so that we could give him a ride today, but I decided to hand walk around the stable this morning.
"I expected there would be some small accidents when we travelled abroad, and this is a kind of within assumption. That is because my two horses had strong works before they left for Dubai.I think the track surface on all-weather may be a bit firm for him, and the track condition on turf is likely better. So I have decided to work him on turf [for the time left].
Group 2 US$1 million Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat
Derbaas/First City/Haatheq - Champion UAE Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe is happily back at the helm at his Grandstand Stables, having been taken ill at Meydan a fortnight ago – on a night he saddled five out of six winners.
His team is in such good form that he was actually able to set an unprecedented sequence of seven consecutive Thoroughbred winners with a winner apiece at Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali where he also managed a 1-2-3 in their final race of the season.
He has finished the campaign with a personal best of 47 winners and with a flourish which has to raise confidence ahead of his Dubai World Cup night runners of which three take their chance in the Godolphin Mile.
The trainer said: "I would like to thank everybody for their best wishes when I was in hospital but am feeling much better now. We have enjoyed a great season and finished the campaign in really good for so are looking forward to Saturday.
"All three of our Godolphin Mile runners are in good form and Richard (Hills) has picked to ride Derbaas over Haatheq who has the worse of the draw.
"Derbaas was a real star last season and has been running well again this time round in good races. He should run his usual solid race, while Haatheq made an excellent return in February and will be having only his third run of the season.
"First City, as a filly, gets weight. She won nicely on her first start for us and is having a first race on all-weather. She works nicely enough on it and has a good draw. Hopefully all three can be competitive."
Red Jazz - Charlie Hills will have his first Dubai World Cup night runner with Red Jazz and the five-year-old arrived in Dubai on Monday ahead of his first track visit on Thursday morning.
Shamalgan - The Xavier Nakkachdji-trained Shamalgan, only one of three Europeans in the Godolphin Mile, did a canter on the all-weather and his trainer said: "He did a canter this morning following his work at the beginning of the week. He is in good form, he is fit. So far so good."
Western Aristocrat – Jeremy Noseda's representative was another to have arrived in Dubai on Monday and he is expected on the track on Thursday morning.


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