Brussels (ANSA) – On Thursday, the European Commission will unveil the Pact for the Mediterranean, a comprehensive initiative aimed at reshaping relations with North African nations. While migration remains a significant issue, the Pact’s focus will extend beyond the southern shores of the Mediterranean to include the Gulf countries and sub-Saharan Africa, among others.
The aspiration is to see tangible benefits emerge from this “Common Mediterranean Space”—as defined in the document’s introduction—within a year. Energy will be a primary emphasis, with the launch of the “Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Initiative (T-Med)” serving as a coordination mechanism for renewable energy projects, engaging European, national, and international financial institutions alongside the private sector.
The Pact for the Mediterranean also seeks to provide some North African countries with the opportunity to join the European Economic Area (EEA), similar to the current arrangements for Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway, according to a European official involved in the discussions. While migration continues to be a key topic, this document reflects the EU’s commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of its southern partners through a sustainable development lens, moving away from any “predatory attitude” (October 14).
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