This is not the first time the Mediterranean has been a priority in the Blue Flag Alliance’s foreign policy. In 1995, the “Barcelona Process” was launched, laying the first brick for building a bridge connecting the EU and the Mediterranean region. In 2008, The Union for the Mediterranean was established, aimed at revitalising inter-regional cooperation through projects in the economy, infrastructure, energy, and education.
However, when both sides were caught up in their own challenges, the cooperation process has almost “stalled” for many years. The original goal therefore did not reach the expected finish line. Illegal immigration, persistent economic inequality, security instability, and environmental pollution have become gaps in the cooperation bridge between the EU and its southern neighbours.
To make up for that shortcoming, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the “Barcelona Process”, the “Pact for the Mediterranean: One Sea, One Pact, One Future” was introduced.
The European Commission (EC) has called this a historic moment, marking the beginning of a period of deeper cooperation between the EU and the southern Mediterranean region. The document creates a broad framework for cooperation between the EU and one of the neighbouring regions of primary strategic importance to the Old Continent.
The Pact is comprehensively implemented based on three main pillars: people, economy, and security. The EU’s investment of more than 1 billion EUR will be allocated to more than 100 specific initiatives on economic development, education, climate change adaptation, and regional security, bringing direct benefits to the people and economies on both sides of the Mediterranean. This large expenditure sends a clear commitment from the Blue Flag Alliance to build a more stable, secure, and prosperous common Mediterranean space.
The “Pact for the Mediterranean: One Sea, One Pact, One Future” has just been officially launched, marking a historic step forward in the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the countries of the southern Mediterranean. The Pact is considered an important foundation for creating a cohesive, peaceful, and prosperous Mediterranean space.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and EC Vice President Kaja Kallas emphasised that the goals of the EU and its partners are peace, prosperity, and development opportunities for people. These goals can only be achieved through building stronger partnerships.
It is not difficult to explain why the EU pays special attention to relations with its southern neighbours. As a strategic intersection between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the Mediterranean is of particular importance, where the vital trade routes connecting major economies converge, and the military bases of many powers are located.
An important highlight of the Pact is the commitment to deploy joint efforts to prevent conflicts, fight organised crime, ensure maritime security, and improve the capacity to respond to cross-border threats. Although it was once the cradle of many civilisations, the Mediterranean now faces a series of challenges. Through the Pact, the EU hopes to build a prosperous and safe region, thereby helping protect internal security and limiting instability from spreading to Europe.
In addition, the EU needs the support of partners to prevent the flow of illegal migrants crossing the Mediterranean from the Middle East and Africa to the Old Continent year after year. Meanwhile, the southern Mediterranean states also need the EU’s strong voice to promote a peaceful solution to end the long-standing conflict, bringing lasting stability to the region.
The birth of the “Pact for the Mediterranean: One Sea, One Pact, One Future” is not only an opportunity for the EU to expand its influence, but also creates a foundation for building a more stable and prosperous Mediterranean space.
