Presentation of the Pact for the Mediterranean

Dear Ministers,

Excellencies,

Good morning to everybody. 

It is a wonderful venue. So firstly, I would like to thank our host, Jose Manuel Albares, not only for giving us the opportunity to meet in Barcelona today, but also for the continued support for this Organisation and the Mediterranean region as well. 

Gracias, Ministro.

Secondly I want to underline that it is good to be with you today for two reasons. 

First to officially launch our new Pact for the Mediterranean. We have presented this together with Dubravka already on the 16th of October to the press but I do not consider it ‘official’ until we have done it with you! 

And second, to do this on the 30th anniversary of the Union for the Mediterranean is a very strong message.  I am glad we will meet later for the UfM Forum later today. 

It is no secret that the European Union is on a mission to strengthen our bond with the Mediterranean region. But to think of this mission as a ‘reshaping’ or a ‘reinvention’ of our relationship – as one think tank described this– is not quite accurate. Because the foundations are already there. In fact they run very deep. 

When we are not travelling for work, Dubravka and I spend a lot of time at European Head Quarters in Brussels. Just an hour to the north is the Belgian city of Bruges, which tells the story of Europe’s rich historical ties with so many Mediterranean countries. 

Back in the Middle Ages, long before the chocolate shops and tourist cruises, Bruges was an international trading hub for Europe. It was an important transit post – perhaps the most important – for goods coming through the Mediterranean to North-western Europe: North African almonds, Damascus water, Saharan copper. 

Of course the trade in goods was just a small part of Europe’s exchanges across the Mediterranean. 

The foundations of educational exchanges run even deeper. The world’s oldest university is Moroccan. The world’s oldest libraries were in modern-day Iraq, Syria and Iran.
To cut a centuries-long story short, we do not start from scratch. But we gather together in Barcelona to discuss where we are in 2025. 

For example, we now have a formal regional partnership – established only thirty years ago. But even in this short period, we have seen earth-shaking changes.

For nearly four years, Europeans have faced the biggest war on our continent since 1945. I am often asked why we are so fixated on Russia’s war against Ukraine when there are so many wars and conflicts affecting us all ongoing today, especially in the Middle East. But the answer is very simple: Russia’s war in Ukraine is an existential threat. If Putin is not stopped, he will not stop. 

In parallel, the geopolitical importance of the Mediterranean is only becoming clearer. It has also been at the top of the EU’s foreign policy agenda since my first day as HR/VP, from the fall of the Assad regime to the war in Gaza.

Truth be told, unchecked aggression only breeds more aggression. We all face a far more dangerous and complex world than most of us have known in our lifetimes, where international rules and norms are being trampled on everywhere. 

But I believe that we are all reaching for the same goals:  peace, better lives for our people, and a chance at progress. 

Amid the earth-shaking changes, we can only achieve these objectives through stronger partnerships and far more cooperation. I also believe we can only do this by working together as equals. In other words, we need to reset of our relationship. The new Pact for the Mediterranean is part of this reset. 

Take our economic relationship. The EU is already the largest trading partner for the region. Trade between the European Union and the rest of Mediterranean has increased over 60% in the last 5 years. But our joint potential today is still huge. We’re talking about the sustainable blue economy, new digital infrastructure, integrating supply chains, and boosting energy flows.

When we speak of strengthening ties between our peoples, which is at the start of our reset, think about education and cultural exchanges, revived tourism, and researchers working together across the sea.

As Dubravka will mention, there are more than 100 new ideas and actions. From a new Mediterranean University, to building artificial factories, and launching a new initiative for Mediterranean start-ups.

Our message is simple: Our current relationship is good but we can do better. Because we have done better in the past. And we must do better in the future, because the context requires it. 

Dear friends,

My grandmother used to say:  what you cannot hide you have to emphasise. In the same way, we are not glossing over the problems we see. 

On security for example, we see similar challenges in the Mediterranean Sea that we see in the Baltic and Nordic Seas. Shadow fleet ships pose a major security risks to both our regions. This is because they help Russia circumvent sanctions to fuel its illegal war; they can be used as launch-pads for drones and attacks; and they pose major environmental risks. 

We want to work more closely with you to resolve these issues, including through a new regional security forum. In practice, this means: cooperation through the EU's military and civilian missions in the region; sharing situational awareness; and improved coordination on common security threats.   

Durable, just, lasting peace in the Middle East is another  challenge that we certainly cannot and should not hide from. And I am sure it will dominate our discussions today. Gaza’s stability is a priority for us all. 

The European Union is the largest financial backer of the Palestinian Authority and the largest humanitarian donor. Most recently we organised the Palestinian Donor Group meeting to raise awareness also on the crucial reforms being carried out by the Palestinian Authority. We believe there is a brighter future for the Palestinian people and the region as a whole. 

The European Union has a role in supporting the peace process. I know we can give a credible contribution that adds value, if we all work together.

We cannot underestimate the challenges we face but rather seize the opportunity to work together in addressing them. 

Dear friends, 

In the corner of the ancient city hall in Bruges, nestled amongst the frescoes representing the city’s trading partners across Europe, we see ‘Tunisia’ and ‘Egypt’ inscribed on the wall.  

These references are a reminder of the glory days of Mediterranean trade. But more importantly, they call for Europe to acknowledge the deep roots between our regions. And to move from history to action, here and now. This is what our new Pact for the Mediterranean is all about.

Shukran yasilan! 

Thank you!

Gracias.