MARSEILLE, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers from the 43 member countries of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean will start a two-day conference here Monday, aiming to iron out differences on several issues.

    The meeting is expected to reach a decision regarding the location of the Union's secretariat, as members have been widely divided over the matter.

    Some countries on the southern coast of the Mediterranean prefer to have the secretariat headquartered on their side of the sea, while Spain is insisting on its being located in Barcelona.

    Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan are also among countries interested in offering a site.

    EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner has expressed hope that a solution would be found at the meeting, proposing Brussels as a backup if there is no compromise.

    The other dispute is about the observer status of the Arab League when the union was born.

    The Arab League, which attended the meetings of foreign ministers in the Barcelona Process, the predecessor of the union, is not satisfied with the status, while Israel will not concede more than that.

    These disputes have hindered the advancement of the union since it was launched in Paris three months ago.

    At the upcoming meeting, foreign ministers will adopt the 2009 work program for the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean, a brainchild of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, aimed at boosting cooperation between the EU and Mediterranean nations.

    A working session will be dedicated to an assessment of the political situation and the latest developments in the region.