The European Union (EU) said on Wednesday that it will push for ambitious answers to common challenges to G8 countries, focusing on new partnership with Southern Mediterranean countries.
President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy and the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso will be present at the two-day summit in Deauville.
"The European Union will come to Deauville to push for a new partnership of the G8 with those neighbours in the Southern Mediterranean that have chosen the path of freedom and democracy," said Barroso.
A revamped European Neighbourhood policy was launched on Wednesday. It seeks to strengthen individual and regional relationships between the EU and countries in its neighbourhood through a "more funds for more reform" approach, according to an EU statement.
The policy came as unrest had swept swathes of the Middle East and North Africa , with violent conflicts in Libya in no sight of ending soon.
Some analysts have blamed the worsening situation on the West 's intervention.
On other pressing issues, Van Rompuy said "I will update the other leaders on the situation in the eurozone. My main message will be that we face the challenge of the public debt crisis resolutely and that our economic fundamentals remain solid. We will emerge stronger and more united.