Dubravka Šuica (Dubrovnik, 1957) is the first European commissioner for the Mediterraneana portfolio created by Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission just a year ago with the argument that looking to the south is key to securitythe energy and the stability of the UE in the middle of war Ukraine. Croatian center-right politician, she has been an MEP, vice president of the European Commission and commissioner for Democracy and Demography, always under the umbrella of the European People’s Party. Herein interview con THE NEWSPAPERon the occasion of the 10th Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean, outlines the limits of cooperation with neighboring countries and the geopolitical pulse with Russia y China.
Why create a specific portfolio for the Mediterranean when the EU focuses on security and rearmament due to the war in Ukraine?
Precisely for that reason: for security and competitiveness, which today are absolute priorities. With the war in Ukraine, the perception spread in the southern neighborhood that the EU was only looking east and abandoning the Mediterranean. But, as neighbors, we need each other for a prosperous and safe Mediterranean. In fact, we have proposed doubling our budget, from 21 billion to 42 billion, for cooperation projects with the New Pact for the Mediterranean.
In justifying the importance of the Mediterranean for security reasons, how does the Commission avoid falling into the framework promoted by the extreme right?
Unfortunately, some reduce the Mediterranean only to migration, and that is a mistake. Development, trade, employment, environment and energy are just as central. We want to leave Russian fossil fuels behind and produce renewables in the region, transferring that energy to Europe with the same environmental and human rights standards. If Europe decarbonizes but North Africa does not, the Mediterranean will remain polluted.
The agreements with North African countries raise doubts due to their lukewarmness in human rights. Will there be a real change of focus?
If Europe withdraws, who is there? We leave room for Russia or China. We deal with very different countries and systems, but in human rights we are very clear: not a cent without strict controls. There are always specific clauses and exhaustive monitoring of the money, with delegations on the ground and partners such as UNICEF. In Tunisia, for example, we hear very different versions from the government and civil society, which is why direct dialogue is essential.
In Spain, there is concern about the outsourcing of immigration control to Morocco. What do those bilateral agreements about which we know so little really include?
With Morocco we maintain a solid cooperation that we want to deepen. The most sensitive point was Western Sahara: the Court of Justice of the EU established that products could not be labeled as originating from the Sahara. The agreement reached is to label them by region or city, without using that toponym, and the European Parliament supported it by a single vote, compared to the Spanish extreme right. We also address trade quotas to avoid imbalances, such as a massive influx of tomatoes. We seek balance: Europe needs Moroccan labor and qualified workers.
So, can we expect a real turnaround in transparency and guarantee of human rights with neighboring countries from your portfolio?
Definitely. Transparency is not optional. There are reports and monitoring mechanisms, and nothing can be done behind public opinion. We ask our partners to respect the rules, but without imposing them. On every visit they remind me of their sovereignty, and we respect it. It is not about imposing or intervening, but about cooperating between partners who recognize each other.
The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, during the interview with EL PERIÓDICO / Jordi Otix / EPC
Should the EU be concerned about the growing presence of Russia and China in North Africa?
Of course, and precisely for this reason we strengthen our presence. We are the closest neighbors, not Russia or China. This is evident in Libya or Algeria, but also in other countries. Moscow and Beijing seek to influence and sometimes block our objectives, but we maintain a firm position. This portfolio is a clear geopolitical response.
Can Europe compete with Chinese investment in large infrastructure in the region?
We want more European companies on the ground and to prevent European funds from ending up financing projects carried out by Chinese companies. In Tunisia, for example, a bridge financed 50% by the EU was awarded to a Chinese company. That is unacceptable. We want to tighten the rules, protect our interests and strengthen European industrial capacity in the Mediterranean.
Lebanon is one of the countries present at this forum, what can the EU realistically do to contribute to its stability, with the Gaza War?
We want a tailor-made agreement with Lebanon, but first they must go through the procedures with the IMF and the reform of the banking system. Then we can support them in economic reforms, trade, migration or the environment.
You co-chaired the first donor group for Palestine, what concrete results have been achieved?
The objective is to reinforce the Palestinian Authority as Israel’s main interlocutor: Hamas will not be the one to negotiate. The US was not there, but we hope for its incorporation. Today they govern in the West Bank, not in Gaza, but we aspire for them to govern both territories, something that requires a lasting ceasefire.
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