Due to opposition among various members, the European Union has had to work extremely hard at its spring summit to gain support for the creation of a Mediterranean Union to strengthen and further promote the Barcelona Process.

How does Mediterranean Union come into being

In his election campaign last year, French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed the establishment of a Mediterranean Union to boost ties with the bloc's southern neighbors.

Germany initially rejected Sarkozy's original version of the plan, which was only to involve certain EU member states but be funded by EU money.

The EU agreement on the Union came at the summit meeting after Germany shifted its position to support France.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Sarkozy agreed on a compromise last week during a meeting in Hanover that all EU member states be involved in the plan.

"We are in favor of further developing the Barcelona Process" because it was slowing down and must be reactivated, Merkel told reporters before the summit.

The Barcelona Process was launched in 1995 to foster dialogue between EU member states and countries on the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean and to promote democratization, security and economic growth in such nations.

The Arab states (among them the Palestinian National Authority, but not Libya), Israel, Cyprus and Turkey are included.

Under Sarkozy's plan, the Union would have one secretariat, a joint north-south presidency, and periodical summit meetings.