Madrid - The Union for the Mediterranean will not work unless sufficient funding is provided to increase the equality between the sea's two shores, Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi warned Thursday.

The project launched by French President Nicolas Sarkozy could lead to disappointment like its predecessor, the 1995 Barcelona Process did, Ghannouchi said in Madrid.

The premier was visiting Spain to discuss bilateral relations especially in the economic, energy and health cooperation sectors.

Spanish foreign ministry secretary of state Angel Lossada thanked Tunisia for its "sensitivity" towards Barcelona's bid to host the headquarters of the new union.

The Spanish city was chosen over other candidates including the Tunisian capital Tunis. (dpa)