While the media and we students of Bible prophecy have been looking the other way, something significant this week may have happened in Tapmere, Finland.

On November 27 and 28, the Finnish EU Presidency presided over the 8th Euromed Ministerial Conference. And, unlike last year's Euromed, in which the majority of the Arab partners didn't even bother to show up, this year's meeting ended with an almost astoundingly successful, joint declaration Read about it here. And, if the words that the Euromed partners managed to put together mean anything, a time of peace in the Mediterranean could be around the corner.

As strange as it may sound, for me it's like watching your child taking their first steps. You always knew that sooner or later they could do it. But, it was hard convincing others. You see, the EU's 1995 Euro-Mediterranean Partnership for Peace had all the ingredients to become Daniel's foretold covenant with many. It was an agreement between the then 15 EU member states and 12 Mediterranean states including Israel, and it was an attempt at reviving the old Roman Empire as it was in the time of Christ. And, this prophetic looking agreement was brought about under the direction of a new 10-nation alliance and the first, modern-day Mr. Europe. But, despite how prophetic it looked, something was still needed to bring it all together.

The Iraqi war combined with the Iranian crisis finally opened the door. Before that, America was in the way of united Europe's Mediterranean dream. But, now that American forces were embroiled in bringing a victory out of Iraq, Europe's new empire builders could have their day. 

The basic plan was ingenious. Instead of short-term agreements that seldom last, the idea was to create a long-term framework agreement upon which others could be fitted. Given the right amount of thought and time, Euromed would someday come together like a superbly designed puzzle. And, it looks like it has.

Evidently, this year's Euromed Ministerial Conference may have had all the right elements. For the first time since the EU's Mediterranean forum began, all participating members indicated they were on the same page and wanting the same things. These things are:

· Orientation course on ESDP of the European Defense and Security College open to
Mediterranean countries willing to participate.
· Euromed Senior officials will launch a discussion on joint cooperation, best practices and
exchange of experience in the area of elections in order to take these issues forward.
· Euro-Mediterranean Seminar on the role of the media in preventing all forms of incitement to terrorism through effective and professional communication.
· Euro-Mediterranean Seminar on ensuring respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism in accordance with international law.
· Pursue negotiations on the progressive liberalization of trade in services and the right of
establishment, progressive liberalization of trade in agriculture, processed agricultural and
fisheries products, the establishment of a dispute-settlement mechanism. Invite Euro-
Mediterranean Trade Ministers to envisage a Ministerial meeting in the second half of the year.
· Programs and activities conducted in the EU to promote innovation to the participation of Mediterranean partners and start technical assistance in order to accelerate reforms and regulatory convergence with particular emphasis on the approximation of technical legislation.
· First meeting of the Investment ad hoc group during the first half of the year.
· Euro-Med ECOFIN/FEMIP Ministerial meeting is planned for May 2007 in Cyprus.
· 11th Euro-Mediterranean Economic Transition Seminar in Brussels.
· Euro-Mediterranean Energy Conference.
· Euro-Mediterranean Transport Forum and its working groups.
· The implementation of the Horizon 2020 initiative for the de-pollution of the Mediterranean. A steering group will be established to coordinate the Horizon 2020 initiative.
· Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt. Launching of the scholarship scheme open for university students from Partner countries.
· Euromed workshop on employment policy.
· Euromed workshop on surveillance, control of communicable diseases and health systems.
· A Euromed ad hoc meeting at expert Senior Officials level on the role of women in society.
· 2nd Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Information Society in Egypt.
· The Anna Lindh Foundation will launch a series of visible initiatives.
· First meeting of the Euromed Youth Parliament.
· Euro-Mediterranean conference to discuss proposals from ‘Euromed and the Media’ initiative.
· Euromed Ministerial meeting on migration.

Behind the above words are some deceptively strong initiatives Euromed pdf. Of course, it remains to be seen if these many leaders intend to do what they say. But, just agreeing to the same things is an amazing achievement in itself. In fact, at the conclusion of this year's Euromed the Finnish EU Presidency added the following:

- All members of the Barcelona Process have unanimously accepted the Tampere conclusions.
- This is an important achievement.
- The Barcelona Process provides an important framework for building regional co-operation, confidence building measures, mutual understanding, expanding support for reconciliation and contributing to promoting progress in the Middle East Peace Process.
- Although it is not intended to replace other activities and initiatives undertaken in the interests of Peace, it provides an important political framework for 35 state the Arab states, Israel and EU.
- Nevertheless the paragraphs on the Middle East Peace were - as expected - discussed at length.
- as you understand it has not been easy to find common language and compromises had to be made.
- after long discussions we have agreed also on common text on the Middle East.
- we are in general terms referring to the recent developments in the Middle East.
- We commend the tremendous efforts of the Arab states and institutions in finding creative and inventive solutions. Without their dedication there would not have been a commonly agreed text.

On January 1, 2007, the Euromed will enter into a new phase. A huge political and financial program will kick in promising the participating Euromed nations an awesome array of carrots and threatening them with many unpleasant sticks. And, wouldn't you just know it? This new program is to last for seven years. 

Friends, sometimes the things we hear demand a response. For us students of Bible prophecy, the Euromed could be that kind of news.

Stay tuned!