The European Commission and the High Representative have introduced a new strategy aimed at strengthening relations between the European Union and its Southern Mediterranean partners. The initiative, called the Pact for the Mediterranean, is designed to deepen cooperation in areas where both regions face shared challenges and interests.
The Pact seeks to enhance economic ties and collaboration across the Mediterranean Sea, aiming to create a connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure region. According to the announcement, “The Pact is built on the principles of co-ownership, co-creation and joint responsibility. It takes a practical approach, centred around concrete initiatives that will bring added value for people and economies on all shores of the Mediterranean. The goal is to create mutual benefits – from producing clean energy, to unlocking private investment.”
Key focus areas include regional projects that offer opportunities for people and businesses, with special attention given to youth, women, and small enterprises. The Pact also aims to strengthen cooperation on security issues such as maritime safety, critical infrastructure resilience, foreign interference, disaster preparedness, and migration management.
Three main pillars structure the Pact:
1. People as a driving force for change: This pillar covers higher education promotion, vocational training, job creation, youth empowerment, mobility programs, culture, tourism, and sports. A flagship project under this area will be the establishment of a Mediterranean University connecting students from across the region.
2. Stronger economies: Efforts here include modernizing trade relations; promoting energy transition through renewable energy projects like T-MED; supporting digital connectivity; fostering sustainable agriculture; developing blue economy initiatives; integrating supply chains; and improving access to critical raw materials.
3. Security and migration management: Initiatives will address shared security threats by increasing preparedness for disasters and adopting comprehensive approaches to migration management. This includes operational partnerships against migrant smuggling and establishing a regional forum on peace and security.
The Pact extends an invitation for engagement beyond Southern Mediterranean countries—reaching out to partners in the Gulf region, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Balkans, as well as Türkiye.
Political endorsement of the Pact is planned for November 2025 during events marking 30 years since the launch of the Barcelona Process—a framework established in 1995 for multilateral cooperation in the Mediterranean region. An Action Plan detailing specific initiatives is expected in early 2026.
The strategy results from consultations involving EU member states; southern Mediterranean partners; neighboring countries; civil society organizations; academia; think tanks; cultural groups; economic organizations; and private sector representatives.
This new approach builds upon previous efforts such as the 2021 Agenda for the Mediterranean—which focused on human development governance climate action inclusive growth—and seeks greater coordination with clear governance structures.
