28-31 March 2001: the meeting, held once again in Thessaloniki (the Intergovernmental Conference of ThessaloniKi took place in 1997), was focused on the topic: “Mediterranean identities: the issues at stake and the responsibilities of the Media”.
The event occurred in a moment where the standoff of the Process of Barcelona caused increasing doubts and worries concerning the development of a Euro-Mediterranean area marked by geopolitical stability, economic cooperation and peaceful intercultural dialogue.
The success of the initiative is proved by the high-level participants who gave their contribution to the debate: intellectuals such as Pedrag Matvejevitch, the writer and Greek Ambassador to UNESCO Vassilis Vassilikos, and the Italian historian Salvatore Bono; experts from the broadcast and information area, such as Roberto Zaccaria, President of RAI, Mrs. Michelle Cotta, DG of France 2, Aidan White, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists; and institutional representatives, such as Yiorgos Paschalidis, Minister for Macedonia and Thrace, Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Minister of Culture and Chedli Klibi, Former Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. Finally, the participation of Romano Prodi, Former President of the European Commission.