Sarkozy told reporters that a formal decision to transform the Barcelona Process into a union for the Mediterranean is expected to be taken Friday, the second day of the two-day summit.

Voices against it still exist

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged the EU to commit more to eastern states, such as Ukraine, saying, "we accept this agreement in general, but we also have our own proposal about Ukraine."

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek hinted that Sarkozy was working to reach national goals above all, as key points, such as what the exact role of the new union would be, were unclear.

"It is obvious that Sarkozy wants to make a name for himself during the French presidency and is focusing on a subject in which he has an economic interest," Topolanek was quoted as saying by the media.

European Parliament (EP) President Hans-Gert Poettering said in a speech to the summit that the EP should be involved as well.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2008)