The ultimate goal of the Program for the Exploration of the Eastern Mediterranean (POEM) is to reach a comprehensive knowledge of the physical, chemical, and biological oceanography of the Eastern Mediterranean. Such knowledge is an essential basis for environmental management, resource exploration, and marine operations. The overall scientific objectives are to: (1) describe the physical phenomena and quantify their kinematics; (2) define basic dynamical processes; and (3) construct physical models suitable for general ocean scientific studies and applications. This report on POEM consists of two parts. The first part, the report of the Paris meeting, discusses the scientific plan, the field program, data management, and modeling, with descriptions of relevant national programs in nine countries provided in appendices. These countries are Egypt, France, West Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Turkey, Cyprus, and the United States. A list of participants is also provided. The second part, the report of the Lucerne workshop, discusses: phenomenology and kinematics; general circulation; mesoscale dynamics; water mass formation; and air-sea interaction and remote sensing. Summaries of round table discussions on biological and chemical implications, data banks for the eastern Mediterranean, and methodologies/techniques are also included. The meeting agenda and a list of participants are provided in the appendices. (Author/JN)