PRESS RELEASE

The Center for Mediterranean Integration and France Médias Monde seal partnership for a better knowledge and solutions sharing on key Mediterranean issues

Paris, France, 06 May 2015 – The Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI), and France Médias Monde (FMM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the dissemination of knowledge and solutions needed to address key development challenges facing Mediterranean countries. In doing so, the parties aim at advancing the achievement of transformative reforms and integration in the region.

“I am very pleased to conclude this agreement which will seal a privileged partnership between the channels of France Médias Monde and the Center for Mediterranean Integration” says Marie-Christine Saragosse, Chairwoman and CEO of France Médias Monde. “It offers a new perspective and complementary expertise to our journalists who strive daily to address societal and cultural issues related to the region. This collaboration with CMI consolidates the entrenchment of France 24, Monte Carlo Doualiya and RFI across the Mediterranean, where millions of viewers, listeners and internet users are following us. Our channels are also unique in the sense that they make these issues accessible to their audience worldwide.”

“We are very pleased to partner with France Médias Monde” says Mourad Ezzine, Manager of the Center for Mediterranean Integration. “Over the next decade, the exchange and application of knowledge will constitute an essential ingredient in the transition process of southern Mediterranean countries. This is even more relevant today as the region is undergoing deep political and economic changes. We are confident that the collaboration with FMM will help raise the awareness and spread the knowledge needed for building an economically vibrant and politically stable Mediterranean region”.

CMI and FMM’s collaboration will focus on a number of key areas where collective action is needed to help the region achieve its potential. These themes include trade and economy; jobs and employment; environment and climate change; inclusion of women and youth; labor mobility and diasporas; cities and urban development, among others.

The collaboration will take various forms:  Co-production of a trilingual TV debate show on the Mediterranean, jointly with the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MuCEM);  Collaboration on the promotion of events organized by the CMI around themes of common interest;  Collaboration on FMM’s relevant content on radio broadcasting and digital media.

**** The Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) is a space where development agencies, Governments, local authorities and civil society from around the Mediterranean convene in order to exchange knowledge, discuss public policies, and identify the solutions needed to address key challenges facing the Mediterranean region. Through innovative solutions, the CMI aims to help countries achieve transformative reforms and enhance integration in the Mediterranean region. Members of CMI are Egypt, France, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, the City of Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank Group. More on our platforms: www.cmimarseille.com, Facebook: /cmimarseille; Twitter: @cmimarseille

France Médias Monde, the group in charge of French international broadcasting, comprises the news channels France 24 (three languages), the international radio station RFI (thirteen languages) and the Arabic-language radio station Monte Carlo Doualiya. From Paris, France Médias Monde broadcasts to the world in 14 languages. Its journalists and correspondents offer viewers, listeners and Internet users’ comprehensive coverage of world events, with a focus on cultural diversity and contrasting viewpoints via news bulletins, reports, magazines and debates. 66 nationalities are represented among the group’s employees. Every week, RFI, France 24 and Monte Carlo Doualiya attract more than 90 million listeners and viewers (measured in less than one third of the countries where France Médias Monde broadcasts). France Médias Monde new media platforms attract 23.4 million visitors a month (2014 average) – 27.6 million in March 2015 – and around 24 million followers on social media (March 2015). France Médias Monde is also a shareholder and partner of the French-language general interest TV channel TV5MONDE.

**** Media Contacts: (Ms) Zein Nahas, Communication Officer at the Center for Mediterranean Integration, 00 33 6 04677242, [email protected] (Mr) Thomas Legrand-Hedel, Deputy Director of Communications at France Medias Monde, 00 33 1 84 22 83 02, [email protected]