Dear Director Scalisi,

Dear Professor Prodi,

Dear representatives of the UNIMED member universities,

Dear participants,

Thank you very much for inviting me to address your General Assembly today.

This year is particularly significant for the Euro-Mediterranean landscape.

• We are celebrating 30 years since the launch of the Barcelona Process.
• We are also progressing in designing the New Pact for the Mediterranean.

In this New Pact, we prioritize people.

Higher Education is a key focus.

Inspired by Romano Prodis groundwork, our aim is to create a true Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education Area.

Through deeper university cooperation, we aim to meet labour market needs, especially for youth.

We want to promote inclusion and position the region as a hub for investment, innovation, and growth.

We will launch a Med University Initiative that includes:

•      Expanding the Erasmus+ framework to double the number of exchange students from approximately 4,500 to 9,000 annually.

•      Establishing a University Alliance between EU universities and those in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf.

A secretariat will be formed to coordinate this initiative.

•      Achieving joint curricula and joint diplomas, which is long overdue and will significantly enhance academic mobility.

Additionally, we plan to establish a Mediterranean University with campuses in both EU Member States and partner countries.

This ambitious goal requires collective effort. Together, with everyones contributions, we will achieve it.

Dear UNIMED members,

Your General Assembly can play a crucial role in

• bringing these ideas to life, and
• building essential connections for the Euro-Med higher education area.

The European Commission will support you politically, practically, and financially.

Ultimately, our efforts to create a common Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education Area will center on people.

I wish you a successful and engaging General Assembly.