6. In this connection, and in view of the close links with the Mediterranean and the Middle East, welcomes the Commission's energy initiatives relating to Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and calls for an intensification of the dialogue between the Union and the non-European members of the Barcelona Process which was initiated by means of the Euro-Mediterranean Energy Forums;

32. Confirms its willingness to develop further the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and the EU common strategy on the Mediterranean, notably through the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Forum, including the Euro-Mediterranean Forum of Women Parliamentarians; desires to work together with the Commission and the Member States to improve the implementation of the MEDA programme and to enhance the utilisation of appropriations, taking account of the specific factors which distinguish it from other external programmes;

69. Hopes that the Euro-Mediterranean Forum will be a genuine contact point for Members of Parliament from the EU and the Mediterranean countries, thereby helping to revitalise and expand the Euro-Mediterranean partnership;

The Action Plans will build on existing bilateral or regional initiatives, such as the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue, the Tacis-funded Inogate programme dealing with the Caspian basin (oil and gas pipeline systems); energy co-operation in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership (in particular the creation of a Euro-Maghreb electricity market, which could be complemented with a gas market, and the agreed Euro-Mediterranean energy networks); enhanced energy co-operation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority; increased gas co-operation in the Mashrek region (all in the Euro-Mediterranean context), as well as Moldova's observ ...[+++]er status in the South East Europe Regional Energy Market initiative.

The issues have been addressed in all the meetings of the Civil Forum (bringing together NGOs and other representatives of civil society from the EU and the Mediterranean partners) which have preceded the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers' Meetings.

In the elaboration of the Regional Indicative Programme (RIP) for 2005-6 the Commission will give full consideration to the ways in which to include support for the strengthening of Human Rights and democracy as well as the involvement of civil society. In addition, the Commission will prepare an evaluation of the impact of the various meetings of the Civil Forum which have taken place prior to Euro-Mediterranean meetings of Foreign Ministers; in that context it will consider ways in which the Civil Forum could develop a structure su ...[+++]ch that the outcomes of its meetings have a more operational impact on the activities of the partnership and the involvement of civil society in them.