Dear participants of the Circle the Med Forum,

Thank you for the invitation to speak at the 8th edition of the Mediterranean Forum.

Your Forum is a platform for dialogue and cooperation on environmental diplomacy in the Mediterranean.

You contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future for the Mediterranean.

This is crucial for all countries and regions around the Mediterranean Sea – our Mare Nostrum.

It is a space of shared aspirations and historical and cultural ties.

Greece is an indispensable player in the Mediterranean.

It is the oldest democracy in the world, a maritime and trading nation with great outreach and expertise, and an actor with excellent regional relations.

This aligns perfectly with the new Mediterranean focus of the current European Commission.

For the first time, we have a dedicated portfolio for the region.

My mandate is to strengthen cooperation between the European Union, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region.

My mission is to bring the partners around the Mare Nostrum closer – the people and the economies.

Together we can achieve more.

There is a lot of untapped potential.

My current priority is the New Pact for the Mediterranean.

We have launched a consultation with Member States and partner countries on how to best design bilateral cooperation and regional investment initiatives.

I want to present the New Pact for the Mediterranean in the autumn.

Consider the win-win scenarios for both sides in many areas of common interest.

We can work on renewable energies, clean tech, climate change mitigation, digital and transport connectivity, migration, security, and the blue economy.

I welcome that your forum engages in advancing the green energy transition and sustainable economic growth.

We all have much to gain from closer energy cooperation in the Mediterranean, especially in renewables.

As part of the New Pact, we are developing a Trans-Mediterranean Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative.

The initiative will allow us to boost renewable energy trading and clean tech manufacturing in the region.

All sides will benefit from decarbonisation, sustainable quality jobs, and more secure energy supplies.

In times of global uncertainty, it is strategically advantageous to collaborate with like-minded partners on equal footing.

This strengthens the autonomy, economic stability, and sustainability of everyone involved.

In this sense, I wish you a successful and inspiring Forum.

Thank you.