The European Union’s Ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst held a press conference in Cairo on Thursday to outline the EU’s new “Pact for the Mediterranean,” an ambitious strategy designed to strengthen cooperation, economic integration, and sustainable development across the Mediterranean region.
The announcement came on the sidelines of the ongoing "Cairo Water Week" , where regional and international leaders are gathering to discuss solutions for water scarcity, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management.
Speaking at the conference, the EU Ambassador emphasized that the new Pact for the Mediterranean—under the motto “One Sea, One Pact, One Future”—reflects the shared ambitions and challenges faced by countries bordering the Mediterranean. The initiative aims to create a Common Mediterranean Space that is “connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure.”
The Pact, jointly presented by the European Commission and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, focuses on three main pillars: people and innovation, sustainable and integrated economies, and regional security and preparedness.
Under the "People and Innovation" pillar, the EU plans to launch a Mediterranean University to foster educational exchange, as well as initiatives to promote youth mobility, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism.
The second pillar focuses on building stronger, more sustainable economies through projects such as the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech Initiative (T-MED) and StartUp4Med, designed to boost clean technology, digital connectivity, and entrepreneurship. Water resilience, agriculture, and blue economy development are also central to this component—key issues in light of the water challenges discussed at Cairo Water Week.
The "Security and Preparedness" pillar addresses shared concerns on regional stability, disaster response, and migration management. A regional forum on peace and security is also planned to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among Mediterranean nations.
“The Mediterranean is not a dividing line—it’s a shared space of opportunity,” Eichhorst said. “Through this Pact, we aim to transform our common challenges into engines of sustainable growth and cooperation.”
The Pact for the Mediterranean is set for political endorsement by EU and Southern Mediterranean partners in November 2025, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process. A detailed Action Plan—expected in early 2026—will map out the implementation of specific initiatives and identify participating countries and stakeholders.
Building on decades of partnership, including the 1995 Barcelona Declaration and the 2021 Agenda for the Mediterranean, the new Pact represents the EU’s most comprehensive effort yet to deepen ties with its southern neighbors through a framework of co-ownership, co-creation, and shared responsibility.
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