U.S. Department of State

G-8 Leaders met today at Camp David to carry forward the work of the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition, which was launched as a long-term, enduring partnership to respond to the historic changes in some of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa region^[1]. One year ago the G-8 launched the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition to support the democratic transition and to strengthen governance, foster economic and social inclusion, create jobs, support private sector-led growth, and advance regional and global integration. Progress towards these objectives is more important than ever. The Partnership intends to deepen its focus on country-level engagement and has negotiated actions with the countries on the establishment of programs for international exchanges.

The Deauville Partnership will help strengthen commitments to effective, accountable, and representative governance practices in transitioning countries by supporting professional exchanges between G-8 countries and the region among: members of legislative bodies, judicial officials, municipal government officials, regional or provincial government officials, and labor unions.

The International Exchanges action plan builds upon the President’s leadership in the G-8 Summit and the Deauville Partnership. Over the next 12 months, the United States will partner with the G-8 and Deauville Partner countries Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt to promote exchanges among:

Members of Legislative Bodies

• By the end of 2013, G-8 members in coordination with the relevant institutions in Partnership Countries will plan and implement exchanges and programs to support members of legislative bodies and their staffs. Examples of the exchange programs include counterpart visits by members of legislative bodies to G-8 capitals or technical assistance programs for parliamentary administrative staff.

Judiciaries

• By the end of 2013, G8 members in coordination with the relevant institutions in Partnership Countries will plan and identify completed exchanges and programs to support judiciaries. G-8 countries and regional partners will identify opportunities that could help strengthen independent judiciaries in transition countries.

Regional Governments and Municipalities

• By the end of 2013, G-8 members in coordination with the relevant institutions in Partnership Countries will plan and identify completed exchanges, pairings, and programs between regional/provincial governments and municipalities for each of the transition countries. Participating entities may work through existing relationships, although the G-8 partners are encouraged to expand their exchanges to include regional partners’ newly empowered local governments. Existing twinning programs between G8 and partner countries will increase their focus on capacity building in transitioning countries.

Labor Unions

• By the end of 2013, G-8 members in coordination with the relevant institutions in Partnership Countries will plan and identify completed exchanges and programs to support independent domestic labor organizations. These plans may involve the input of groups such as the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center or the Euro-Med Trade Union Forum to develop appropriate training on workers’ rights, economic opportunity, vocational training, and cooperation among trade unions.