Speech by Commissioner Šuica at the 10th Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean

Dear Co-Presidents Kaja Kallas and Ayman Safadi,

Dear José Manuel Albares, 

Dear Nasser Kamel,

Ministers, Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour to participate in this ministerial Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean as the first-ever European Commissioner for the Mediterranean.

I am grateful to the Government of Spain, the Co-Presidencies, and the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean for making this 10th UfM Regional Forum possible.

This is a very special day, as we are marking the commitment taken thirty years ago through the Barcelona Declaration, and celebrating the Day of the Mediterranean.

As a former Mayor of Dubrovnik, I have very fond memories of the 10^th anniversary of the Barcelona Process celebrated in 2005.

These are not just symbolic occasions.

They represent our joint commitment to strengthening regional cooperation around the Mediterranean.

They remind us that there is a long history of cooperation in the Mediterranean.

Thanks to the Barcelona Process and the creation of the Union for the Mediterranean, we can look back at three decades of fruitful collaboration.

Today, more than ever, we are facing geo-strategic and economic uncertainties.

However, these are also times of opportunities. 

In a changing world with

security threats,

an erosion of the multilateral order, and

the fading away of old alliances,

we can boost our prosperity, stability, and resilience.

And we will do it by strengthening the relations with our closest partners and trusted neighbours around the Mediterranean.

This is the strategic approach that I see for all of us in the Union for the Mediterranean – to the benefit of our people.

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has undertaken a reform process to boost its strategic vision, starting in 2022 in this very same Regional Forum.

Today, I am glad that we are endorsing the new UfM Vision Statement.

It is a powerful signal to bring our regional cooperation under the Union to reconnect the Mediterranean.

It is going to bring fresh momentum to the Organisation in areas such as the environment and clean energy, connectivity and people-to-people.

Let me personally thank you, dear Nasser, for your commitment and dedication throughout your mandate.

Also, dear Ayman, I want to express my gratitude to the leadership of Jordan as Co-Presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean.

The Union for the Mediterranean is the only international organisation that brings all states of the Mediterranean to the same table, with a unique convening power.

Let me mention just three flagship areas where the expertise of the UfM is bringing tangible results:

The sustainable blue economy, where the UfM and major International Financial Institutions joined forces to set up the Blue Mediterranean Partnership to mobilise 1 billion Euro by 2030.

Education, employment, and labour markets are also areas in which the UfM is delivering, strengthening the employment and skills of the most vulnerable, especially among the youth and women.

And, lastly, crisis management and civil protection around the Mediterranean.

From the Water Agenda to the Youth Agenda, the European Commission is a major contributor to the Union for the Mediterraneans Secretariat to deliver on these priorities.

You can continue to count on the commitment of this Commission to further support a renewal of the internal re-organisation.

As members of this Organisation, you are in the driving seat to bring it to its full potential, deepening our cooperation in the priority areas of the new Vision Statement.

I call on all of you to continue supporting the UfM and driving it to new heights.

To put things into perspective:

Just before this meeting we have launched the Pact for the Mediterranean together – the EU Member States and the ten southern Mediterranean partners.

It was a special moment for me, as I have been working on the Pact from Day One of this mandate.

With the Pact we are going much more granular.

More than 100 concrete initiatives and actions will tap on the full potential of our cooperation.

The Pact is, as you know, designed around the three pillars

people,

the economy, and

security, preparedness and migration management.

It is very important to create further synergies between the Pact and the work of this Organisation.

We can draw on the UfMs experience in building regional networks and flagship projects.

When it comes to opportunities for people and civil society throughout the Mediterranean,

I very much appreciate the work of the Anna Lindh Foundation, the Union for the Mediterranean, and ARLEM to bring our people around the Mediterranean closer together on the ground.

One important initiative here is the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue, launched in 2025.

And I congratulate Córdoba in Spain and Saida in Lebanon for having just been selected as capitals for 2027.

Dear Excellencies,

Connecting and empowering people.

Stronger and inclusive economies.

And more security for all.

This is our common vision for the future of the Mediterranean.

Thank you so much for your engagement and your active role in this common undertaking.