This Saturday, the Mediterranean regions have demanded that the European Commission and the community institutions play a “central and effective” role in applying the new Pact for the Mediterranean. The proposal comes from the meeting organized by the Government at the Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona, which has become the framework for the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Processthe initiative that since 1995 has articulated the space for dialogue between Mediterranean countries.
During the morning, 20 regions in 10 European and North African countries have debated the challenges of this key geographical space and have approved a joint declaration in which they demand greater territorial involvement in Euro-Mediterranean governance and demand new instruments and economic funds to be able to translate political commitments into concrete results.
In the text, the signatories emphasize that the Mediterranean, a bridge between Europe, Africa and Asia, is today an epicenter of global challenges ranging from demographic change y climatic to the inequalitythe political polarization and the consequences of conflicts such as those in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria or the Sahel.
Illa has called for “dialogue over force.” / EFE
The declaration warns that this combination of tensions tests “regional internal cohesion” and directly affects the security and to maritime tradebut it also highlights the potential of the territory as a space for innovation, sustainability and shared prosperity to lead the green and digital transition.
Nearby administrations
The regions have asked that the Mediterranean Pact – the new roadmap to reactivate cooperation between both shores – recognize their role as administrations closest to citizens. The document demands that cities and regions participate in the definition of priorities, the implementation of projects and the evaluation of results. They have also advocated a “dialogue between equals” to respond to climatic, social and economic challenges.
On this issue, the Minister of the European Union and Foreign Action, Jaume Duchhas stated that to “overcome the asymmetries that still persist and that limit authentic cooperation between equals”, regions need tools and adequate financing: “We require European funds to make it viable.”
Shower He celebrated the “constructive and generous tone” of the delegations and highlighted that all of them have brought to the table “the best of the Mediterranean spirit: dialogue and shared ambition.” The councilor stressed that the regions are experiencing a “moment of historical responsibility” and that it is essential to have a Mediterranean “united, connected and with the capacity to influence.”
“Aspects such as governance, financing, social justice and development concern us and directly affect us as governments close to citizens,” he defended. “We have put together diagnoses and different views and we have been able to adopt this joint declaration,” he added.
The declaration, which will be transferred to the member states of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)also requires the European Commission to explicitly encourage the territorial and local leadership in the first Action Plan of the Pact (2026) and that constitutes a monitoring and evaluation committee with a local and regional vision, in addition to demanding a technical assistance fund for decentralized cooperation, as well as an “agile and accessible” financial architecture
Peace in Palestine
The summit was inaugurated by the president Salvador Illawho has defended “dialogue over force” as a way to face Euro-Mediterranean challenges. Illa has called for “aligning multi-level political actions” and has insisted that states, regions and society must go hand in hand to strengthen the Euro-Mediterranean association. He has also claimed the role of the UfM and the multilateral system as effective tools to combat climate change, inequalities and to promote peace.
The president recalled that the UN gave ““green light for the peace proposal for Palestine” and has appealed to Europe and all the Mediterranean countries to exercise a ‘active role’ in Gaza reconstructionthe guarantee of rights and progress towards a viable Palestinian State.
Subscribe to continue reading
