At a meeting in Dublin on May 6, 2004, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, comprising EU foreign ministers, and the foreign ministers of several Mediterranean and Arab countries, announced that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) will headquarter the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue of Cultures. The foundation, which will be co-administered by the Swedish Institute in Alexandria, will promote dialogue for increased understanding between Europe and the countries around the Mediterranean and in the Middle East.
In a statement to the press following the announcement, the BA expressed its delight with the decision, crediting the vision of the late Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher as the inspiration for this initiative. The selection of the Library as the Foundation’s headquarters is further confirmation of the Library’s mission to be a beacon for free dialogue and interaction among all cultures and civilizations.
Ian Bog, Head of the EU Commission delegation in Cairo, announced his endorsement of the choice of the BA as a base for the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue of Cultures. He said that he expected the Foundation to launch its agenda shortly.