Despite the support of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi and his government, Malta is considered to be out of the running for the post of secretary general of the Union of the Mediterranean (UoM), which was created at the recent Paris summit.

The European media has classed the candidature of Malta alongside that of Tunis and Rabat as “non-starters” considering that the two heavyweights – Barcelona and Marseille – are fighting for the prize. Unless, that is, a compromise solution will have to be found if none of the two principal contenders bows out.

The final decision will be taken on 4 November in Marseille itself by the foreign ministers of the countries in the Union of the Mediterranean.

Spain insists on Barcelona as the city where the Euro-Mediterrranean process has been kept active since 1995. Precisely, argue its opponents, because the Barcelona Process led nowhere.

France insists on Marseille because the city already has many international institution linked to Mediterranean affairs and also because of its long experience in the matter.

Besides, of course, the simple fact that the Union of the Mediterranean was created by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Algeria has announced it is not a candidate so as to avoid any contact with Israel.