Dear participants of the inaugural Raisina Mediterranean Forum,

Thank you for inviting me to address your gathering. I welcome your approach of fostering a resilient and interconnected Mediterranean community. It is crucial for partners to unite in responding to global challenges such as governance, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

This is one reason we now have a dedicated Commission portfolio for the Mediterranean. We aim to enhance cooperation between the EU and partner countries in the Southern Mediterranean and Gulf regions.

My mission is to bring partners around the Mediterranean Sea closer together—both people and economies. There are win-win opportunities in areas like trade, renewable energy, digital connectivity, security, and migration.

In times of global uncertainty, stronger connectivity is our bridge—not just between shores, but among people, ideas, and cultural spaces. The Mediterranean has historically reached out to the wider world.

In this context, I reaffirm the EUs strategic vision for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). We stand to gain from investing in port upgrades, decarbonizing maritime trade, and enhancing energy transmission and digital infrastructure.

As partners around the Mediterranean and beyond, we can unlock our collective potential and foster mutual benefits for a prosperous and sustainable future.

In this spirit, I wish you a successful inaugural Raisina Mediterranean Forum.