EU Unveils Pact to Enhance Integration with Mediterranean Nations

The European Commission has introduced a new initiative aimed at fostering closer ties with Mediterranean countries through the “Pact for the Mediterranean,” unveiled on March 14, 2024. This pact seeks to reshape relationships with the bloc’s southern neighbours as global instability continues to rise. It outlines various projects across ten Mediterranean nations, focusing on crucial sectors for the European Union.

The document emphasizes the need for deeper integration within the Common Mediterranean Space. It states, “We want to strengthen this relationship and achieve deeper integration,” highlighting the goal of initiating a paradigm shift necessary for realizing the full potential of the partnership. The pact prioritizes trade integration, migration, and border management, while also addressing the region’s increasing significance in the EU supply chains for agriculture, fertilizers, and critical raw materials.

Additionally, the agreement encompasses initiatives related to decarbonisation, climate change mitigation, renewable energy, and disaster preparedness. It also aims to promote private sector investment and digitalization, alongside projects for establishing a Mediterranean university and fostering educational and cultural exchanges. The countries directly involved in the pact include Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, and Syria. There is also potential for engagement from Gulf partners and nations such as Mauritania, Senegal, Turkey, the Western Balkans, and those from the Black Sea region.

New Approach to Partnerships

During a press conference, Dubravka Šuica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, emphasized a shift in approach. She stated that this initiative adopts a bottom-up methodology, highlighting consultations conducted with various societal sectors, not just governmental entities. “We are creating partnerships among equals,” Šuica asserted.

Despite this assertion, the consultation process has faced criticism from civil society representatives. Moataz El Fegiery, Vice-President of the NGO EuroMed Rights, argued that the consultation was limited, noting that many voices, particularly those affected by oppressive regimes, were not included. He expressed concern that the focus on investment and trade, without adequate emphasis on democratic reforms, could lead to a preference for state-to-state cooperation reminiscent of past initiatives like the Barcelona Process.

The Barcelona Process, initiated in 1995, aimed to enhance cooperation between the EU and Mediterranean nations but ultimately yielded few significant political outcomes.

Competing on the Global Stage

At the same press conference, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addressed questions regarding how the EU would compete with other major global players, such as China and Russia, which have a strong presence in Mediterranean countries. Kallas reiterated that the EU’s strategy focuses on fostering equal partnerships. “We need to be credible and reliable if we want to remain competitive,” she stated.

Regarding the influence of Russia in the region, Kallas noted that the EU is actively raising concerns about Moscow’s actions and urging partners not to bypass sanctions imposed by the West. This diplomatic strategy underscores the EU’s commitment to a stable and collaborative Mediterranean region while navigating the complexities of international relations.

The “Pact for the Mediterranean” represents a significant step in the EU’s efforts to redefine its relationships with its southern neighbours, aiming for a collaborative future amid changing global dynamics.