Thanks to the European Institute of the Mediterranean - IEMed 

The Al-Ahram Center

The American University in Cairo for hosting us today

Thanks to HQ staff and the EU Delegation in Egypt, to the EU MS present 

Principles

As Europeans we will continue to promote inclusive dialogue, participation, joint ownership, mutual respect, work on what binds and connects us, not on what divides us, shared priorities, putting people at the centre of our work.

As EU we will certainly continue to work regionally based on partnerships of equals

For me today is also a personal marker since I attended the Barcelona Process Conference in November 1995 as a civil society participant - sitting in a different room from where the political action took place – so I can look back at 30 years of the do’s and don’ts in our partnership.

Why the Pact? Why now?

A lot has been said and written about Barcelona, the European Neighbourhood Policy, the Association Agreements, the more for more, the renewed Partnership Priorities for some partners, the Union for the Mediterranean, the current Agenda for the Mediterranean, Global Gateway, current SCPs with Egypt and Jordan and much more. 

I will always encourage intellectual honesty, take lessons learned to heart, I will always listen to grievances, disappointments,  …because these are real feelings, based on often sound analyses not just perceptions, and I will also ask you all to continue to present constructive, pragmatic and practical proposals for a better or different way forward. 

So we need this honest assessment to look forward and get all our partners once again reengaged in creating this common zone of cooperation. Its politically an important impetus for all, in view of the EU’s attention for stopping the war on Ukraine, enlarging with 10+ partners, managing a multipolar world. 

What ?

Together we want to define a framework for cooperation based on concrete actions and with a pragmatic approach (scale up of current initiatives and identification of new ones) – concrete realistic and focused. 

We are currently looking at three main pillars (remember Barcelona? J): 

• human development, 

• economy, 

• peace and security, 

with a comprehensive approach to migration, with underlying actions in the three pillars. 

Yet all depends on the outcome of the consultations like the one today. 

There are different layers on consultations going on simultaneously. Here in Cairo we try to cover views of six partners, in Morocco last week 4 partners were covered. We have our partners from the Civil Society Facility in Brussels on 11 June followed by another consultation and a Senior Officials Meeting on 12 June and Ministers will have the opportunity to discuss the pact at the upcoming EU-Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial on 23 June. The adoption of the Pact in autumn is to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration.

So this is an extensive process undertaken by our new DG MENA, accompanied also by an internal reflection on which ongoing actions could be scaled up, and how, and identify new initiatives. 

For the EU the political message is clear – reliable stable predictable partner. 

We are improving and accelerating the resilience and quality standards for our citizens and wish to work with the same quality and speed with our partners, including on rule of law which is the jewel of internal market and should guide the economic transformations of our partners in the Mediterranean. We are not looking for grand visions, but a set of concrete actions based on the scale up of current ones or new ones that will be identified starting by implementing the ones that can be more concrete and easily implemented which will define the priorities. We will remain flexible and able to act “sur measure” to apply our approach to some countries. 

One clear message emerging so far from consultations is that the future of this region lies in the hands of its people—especially young people—and in the strength of local communities.

Programmes like Interreg NEXT MED show the power of cross-border collaboration. But we must go further—ensuring that development is not fragmented but connected, local voices are heard, and solutions are shaped by those who live them.

So let's unpack a bit the three main areas of action are emerging so far. These are not final – they are starting points for discussion. We want to hear your views.

1. People First

• Skills, education, mobility, and decent jobs are key to long-term stability and opportunity.

• Proposals include a Euro-Med University Alliance, expanded Erasmus+, and youth exchange platforms.

• What matters most to young people in your communities? How can we support their aspirations more effectively? – link to migration

2. Economic Resilience and Innovation

• There is strong interest in deeper economic ties—especially around green energy, digital, and innovation, start ups.

• The T-Med initiative aims to scale clean tech across the region and support entrepreneurship, integration euro value and supply chain.

• Where do you see the greatest potential for shared growth? What needs to change to unlock it?

3. Stability and Sustainability

• Peace, climate resilience, food and water security, and stronger governance are critical priorities.

• Development of security partnerships, disaster preparedness and civil society. We are supporting these areas, but local insight is essential.

• From your experience, what would strengthen resilience and security on the ground?

The three areas will be linked to migration in a comprehensive and holistic approach.

Today

How do we move from good intentions to practical outcomes? Which priorities matter most to people in the region? What can we do differently—better—to foster trust and opportunity?

If we had to choose one signal of ambition for this Pact, it could perhaps be along the lines of bringing together Mediterranean youth to innovate, collaborate, and lead. 

The EU stands ready—to listen, to adapt, and to act.

So to sum up, let's look at some questions that can guide the discussions that will be taking place during the next day and a half: 

- What can we do better together?

- What in our partnership works well already?

- What are your expectations for the future relationship between peoples, countries, institutions, partners

Thank you!

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