Following President von der Leyens call for a more focused approach to the EUs broader neighborhoods, particularly the Mediterranean, with a Commissioner in the new College dedicated to this portfolio, the European Commission has established a new Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf (DG MENA).
In line with the Presidents Political Guidelines and the Mission Letter of the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, this new DG will build strong partnerships with North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf countries to ensure prosperity, security, and resilience based on mutual interests. The DG will focus on advancing partnerships that target investment, economic stability, jobs, energy, transport, security, migration, and other areas of mutual interest.
The newly created DG under the leadership of the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, is now the Commissions entry point for all countries in the region. The DG will help drive and shape the goals of the EU Mediterranean policy, providing technical and financial support.
It brings significant innovation as the new DG MENA will be fully dedicated to the Mediterranean region, i.e., North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf countries.
In total, DG MENA will have more than 500 staff, both at the European headquarters and in the EU Delegations.
Background
The new DG was announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during the presentation of the College of Commissioners in September 2024.
The political guidelines 2024-2029 and the mission letter of Commissioner Šuica indicate as the first initiative of the policy the adoption of the New Pact for the Mediterranean, which will build on comprehensive partnerships focused on investment, economic stability, jobs, energy, transport, security, migration, and other areas of mutual interest, through an integrated approach bringing together elements of economic, humanitarian, development, peace, and security policies, based on EU values and principles.
For More Information
Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica
Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf