The IEMed to contribute to the Pact for the Mediterranean of the new European Commission
3 December 2024 | Corporate news
The IEMed has been tasked with contributing to the reflection process for the new Pact for the Mediterranean, the main political instrument that the new European Commission aims to establish to deepen strategic cooperation with its southern and eastern Mediterranean neighbors. This initiative was announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her speech last July, where she outlined the priorities of the European executive for the 2024-2029 term.
As part of a year-and-a-half-long project funded by the EU, the IEMed, acting as the Secretariat of the EuroMeSCo network of think tanks, will gather insights and contributions from policymakers, experts, and local communities across the Euro-Mediterranean region to help shape the new Pact for the Mediterranean.
The project, titled Support to Reflection and Consultations on the Pact for the Mediterranean, includes the implementation of a EuroMed Survey, regional consultations, and major dialogue forums in Southern Mediterranean capitals and in Brussels.
Kick-off in Brussels with the EU Commissioner for the region
On 8 April, the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, chaired a debate in Brussels with experts and researchers from the EuroMeSCo think tank network and senior EU officials, organised by the IEMed with the support of the EU Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf.
The meeting was the kick-off for the regional dialogues (Consultation Circles) in Rabat and Cairo that the IEMed and the EuroMeSCo think tank network will organise in the coming weeks as part of an EU-funded project that aims to contribute proposals to the new EU Pact for the Mediterranean.
The proposals will emerge from both these regional dialogues and the EuroMed Survey, which was carried out in March and which had a record turnout and broad representation and inclusiveness: representatives from 24 countries responded, more women took part than ever before, and there was a very high increase in the participation of young people.
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On 18 July 2024, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, took part in the plenary session of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg, France, on her candidacy for a second term of office from 2024-2029.
During this session, Ursula von der Leyen presented her political priorities and outlined her vision as President of the Commission for the second time. She said “the Mediterranean region should get undivided attention, and this is why I will appoint a Commissioner for the region and propose a new agenda for the Mediterranean, together with Kaja Kallas. Because the future of those two Mediterranean shores is one and the same.”
Watch full statement
“The Mediterranean region stands at a critical crossroads for peace and security and the EU must make clear that it is its first partner of choice when it comes to resolving democratic pressures, the challenges of climate change, and economic issues, she said, adding that one of her priorities would be a new Pact for the Mediterranean that would be a “partnerships of equals”.
Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean, during her hearing at the European Parliament on 5 November 2024.