Euro-Med summit kicks off in Barcelona, Nov. 27, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua)

    BARCELONA, SPAIN, Nov. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- A raft of absences of Mediterranean leaders have cast shadows over a two-day Euro-Med summit, which is trying to re-invigorate the 10-year-old cooperation between the 25-nation European Union (EU) and 10 Mediterranean states.

    It is the first time a Euro-Med meeting is being attended by heads of government and state. When what is known as the Barcelona Process began 10 years ago, it was launched by participating countries' ministers.

    During this summit, leaders will come together to assess progress so far and see what more can be done. Combating terrorism and controlling immigration, as well as democracy and trade issue, is scheduled to top the agenda.

    However, with many leaders absent from the meeting, major announcements are unlikely.

    It is reported that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Moroccan King Mohamed VI and Jordan's King Abdullah II will not attend the conference. Another key absentee is Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. EU officials insisted that the absence of so many leaders was a result of a variety of domestic and regional issues and not of a desire to snub the EU.

    Critics say Euro-Med has achieved little over the last decade. EU officials acknowledged that shortcomings existed and said that this was why the process needed to be restarted. "Our summit will aim to put the partnership on a sounder and stronger footing, and take courageous decisions to meet the challenges we face as we enter a new phase," European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said ahead of the gathering.Enditem