With just under a month before its official launch during a summit in Paris, the proposed Union for the Mediterranean (UPM), which is very dear to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, continues to attract deep controversies and reservations from some key leaders and countries.

"The project is undermined by notably Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and the hesitations of countries such as Turkey. The fact that Algeria has not shown much enthusiasm for the project does not help matters either," a regional analyst was quoted as saying recently, adding that "proponents of the union had a lot of homework to do."

Since its inception, what has come to be known as "President Sarkozy's pet project" had managed to draw the criticism of Northern Mediterranean leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who feared that the project could lead to sharp divisions between European Union (EU) member states bordering the Mediterranean and its allies further "north".

By agreeing to involve all its 27 European partners, Paris finally succeeded during an EU heads of state and government summit in Brussels in March to win the endorsement of an amended version of the project.

"But, the project has now the semblance of some sort of an enhanced version of the current and inefficient Barcelona process, which defines relations between the EU and its neighbors," said one European diplomat, noting that "this time round, a new wind of criticism against the UPM is coming from Southern countries."

Last week, Arab countries took advantage of a mini-summit of the Mediterranean Forum in Algiers to demand "clarifications about the consequences" of the entry of Israel in the future union.

The second salvo against the project came when Col. Gaddafi addressed another Mediterranean mini-summit bringing together Arab leaders in Tripoli. The Libyan leader did not mince his words or hesitate to publicly state all the evil he thought of the proposal of his "friend" Nicolas Sarkozy.

"We will not under any circumstances agree to run the risk of tearing the Arab or African unity," said the Libyan leader, denouncing the proposed UPM as "inconsequential" or "some form of humiliation to Southern Mediterranean countries."

"The European Union has refused to be divided, why should we accept...," said the Libyan leader, adding that "if Europe wants closer cooperation with Africa, let us hold negotiations within the framework of either the African Union or the Arab League."

However, Paris, which is the main driving force behind the new union, remains confident and has played down the effect of the ongoing anti-UPM wave from its Arab allies. France has said that it is not even worried of a remake of the anti-Israeli front that has so far managed to completely paralyze the Barcelona process.

"Such statements do not surprise us," said a French diplomat, adding: "Libya had already refused to join the Barcelona process because it was too beautiful to Europe and included Israel."

"What reassures us is that no any other country has so far adopted the same thinking line," said the diplomat, who noted that "most Arab countries have already confirmed their presence at the July 13 summit.

But, things could still go haywire, said one observer, before adding that "Paris was still awaiting the response of Algeria, Lebanon and Syria."

Further, the fact that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could grace the July 13 summit at the invitation of President Nicolas Sarkozy has also come under fire from France's opposition parties and some Lebanese factions. Within the ruling Union for a Popular Movement, there are also dissenting voices opposed to President Assad's invitation.

Even France's western allies such as the United States have voiced their concerns with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urging France to use the opportunity offered by the summit to send "President Assad a positive message".

As if that is not enough, Turkey, whose participation will likely determine whether the summit is a success or not, has so far "shown little or no enthusiasm" for the Paris meeting, according to observers.

"The Turkish leadership is not keen to willingly take part in a project that is packaged as a consolation prize the refusal of some countries, including France, to accept it within the EU," said one European diplomat.

"It is true that the participation of Ankara is closely linked to the question of its accession to the EU," said a Paris-based diplomat, adding: "but the UPM is based on variable geometry, meaning that the absence of one country will not interfere with the participation of those who want to work together."

Deliberately optimistic, the drivers of future partnership are also doing everything to ensure that negotiations on establishment of its institutions are "on track".

In the north, the co-presidency of the future union will be entrusted to France during the first six months, after which it will then be turned over, as demanded by Brussels, to the future holder of the rotating presidency of the European Union.

In the "south", the joint presidency will be entrusted to Egypt, according to reliable sources. The location of the headquarters of the secretariat of the UPM, which is the subject of stiff competition between Rabat, Tunis and Malta, "will be decided by the summit," said one source close to the matter.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2008)