The embryonic Mediterranean Union, which binds together the European Union and its southern Mediterranean neighbors, will be based in Barcelona, EU officials said yesterday.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy launched the Union, his brainchild, at a summit in July, but the project has struggled to get going because of tussles over administrative, diplomatic and funding issues.

Foreign ministers from the 43 countries overcame one hurdle at a meeting in the French port of Marseille, deciding to base the "Club Med" in the Spanish city of Barcelona.