First Mediterranean University is launched

A new Euro-Mediterranean University has been launched with courses that will focus on issues of importance to European, African and Levantine countries bordering the sea. Based in Slovenia, the creation of the institution has been part of a joint declaration issued by heads of state and government from 43 countries at a summit in Paris, establishing a Mediterranean Union organisation.
The group is parallel to the European Union despite incorporating North Africa and Levantine into the group. Nicolas Sarkozy has paid particular interest to the project and hosted the summit where it was concluded that a Euro-Mediterranean University could, "contribute to the understanding among people and encourage cooperation in higher education."
The Slovenian Prime Minister highlighted the projects historic importance, stating: "Europe and the Mediterranean have, since time immemorial, been connected to totality. European culture, art and science still draw inspiration from the achievements of the ancient Egyptians, Hebrews, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and others who, in their own time, helped shape the region to which we belong."
A letter of intent has been signed by all Slovenian universities to cooperate with the new institution, including the universities of Nova Gorica, Maribor, Primorska, the country's Graduate School of Government and European Studies and its Scientific Research Centre SASA.
Supporting universities from around the world will sign a foundation charter in September and these signatories will form a general assembly which will adopt a ruling statute for the university in December. The university will become a legal entity by the new year.