Mr. Sannino: The World Has Become More Complex & Multipolar

In a significant move underscoring the European Union’s strategic focus on the Mediterranean region, the EU has established the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf. 

This marks the first time the EU has created a dedicated commissioner and administrative structure for the region, signaling a major shift in its diplomatic and economic engagement.

In an a press briefing, Mr. Stefano Sannino, Director General of the Middle East, North Africa & Gulf, emphasized that this development reflects the high priority given to the region by the European Commission. While the EU continues its enlargement process with Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, it remains committed to deepening partnerships with the Mediterranean.

Moreover, Mr. Sannino outlined the twofold mission of the newly established Directorate-General. The first objective is to strengthen bilateral relations with Mediterranean countries, fostering strategic partnerships similar to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the EU has with Egypt. The second aim is to develop a Pact for the Mediterranean, a regional framework designed to enhance cooperation and integration between Europe and its southern neighbors.

While still in its early stages, the Pact is being co-developed in consultation with regional partners to ensure joint ownership, rather than an EU-imposed structure, the EU official added.

According to Mr. Sannino, the international landscape has become increasingly complex and fragmented, exacerbated by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and regional crises, noting that these dynamics highlight the urgent need for stronger EU-Mediterranean cooperation.

"The world has transitioned through various geopolitical phases, from bipolarism to multipolarism, followed by a unipolar phase, and now what the UN Secretary-General has described as chaos," he explained, adding, the EU that once accustomed to a stable, predictable world, must now adapt to an era of uncertainty.

Concerning EU Council President's recent visit to Egypt, Mr. Sannino said that high-level discussions were held between EU representatives and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Prime Minister (PM), Foreign Minister (FM), and Minister of International Cooperation.

Additionally, he noted that EU delegation engaged in talks with private sector representatives, civil society, and international organizations, highlighting Egypt's strategic and comprehensive partnership with EU.

Highlighting the significance of the Mediterranean, Mr. Sannino pointed to the European Council President’s participation in a Arab summit on Gaza as a testament to Europe’s recognition of the region’s strategic importance.

He further added that, for decades, the EU’s regulatory power, often referred to as the "Brussels Effect", has influenced global standards due to the EU’s large market size (500 million consumers) and economic weight. However, with today’s increasingly fragmented world order, Mr. Sannino acknowledged that the EU must redefine its approach to remain influential in shaping global norms.

Many countries are now adopting a multi-alignment strategy, engaging with multiple global players, including the U.S., Russia, and China, based on national interests rather than ideological affiliations.

"The key question is not ideology but rather whether a country respects international norms or operates outside them," he noted, adding, EU must carefully select its partners based on their commitment to a rules-based international order.

While the EU remains committed to human rights and democratic values, Mr. Sannino emphasized that democracy cannot be imposed externally but should develop organically within societies.

"We need to support reform processes gradually while taking into account the specific circumstances of each country. For example, in Tunisia, there is a vibrant civil society and a thriving private sector despite political challenges. It is in our interest to support this development rather than impose strict conditions that might hinder progress."

Mr. Sannino said: "I would not like to create a sort of narrative where we are, let's say, bringing our forces together against Trump and against the US administration. I think that somehow, and it's a huge effort that collectively we are making, if I read also the communique of the summit, it starts with praising the activity of the US administration and the work that has been done and their contribution to, it's not easy to pick up a fight, even if sometimes, I mean, you may be hitching and say, I mean, I want to do something."

He added," But it's logical, I would say, and it's a rational policy that of not creating fronts against. I think that, I mean, if you look at the implementation of the policies, there are things that are, let's say, more difficult to digest. And then there are things that then evolve and shift to another dimension."

The EU official believes that if you go into an escalatory process, normally it's not too good, it's a lose-lose. "But I understand what you say. And I think that when I was saying about the change in geopolitical landscape, this is also part of the story."

He confirmed that The European Union, today what is the 4th or the 5th? Today is the 5th. So tomorrow there is a European Council in Brussels, which is discussing rearmament of Europe, stressing that it is a big plan to, let's say, step up substantially the armament capacities of the European Union. everybody is rearming.

He noted that he has seen things that he would have never believed that could happen. "I've seen Sweden and Finland join the European Union. I've seen Germany embarking on a 100 billion euro plan to rearm. But I've seen also Japan changing its constitution to change the security and the defense posture, for Germany, they have made a plan of 100 billion euro to rearm. They are arming more than everybody else."

Asked if the United States will agree, he said we don't think that we need to ask permission. We are doing it. We are just doing it.

"we can have, let's say, a mechanism by which we can do that in order to rearm. And to buy and to structure our armaments.

, And by the way, I mean, the United States has always asked and pushed the European Union to take more responsibility for its own defence. So I think that really there is no political problem about this."

On the migration, Mr. Stefano Sannino said it's a very complex and structured plan that we have when it comes to migration because it's about prevention, also addressing the root causes of migration. This includes all the work that we are doing for the economic development, for the socio-economic development of the country.

he added: "There is an element of control of the borders. There is an element of fight against smugglers and trafficking, which is also another important point. There is the issue of legal pathway for migration, which is being very much paired with more structured work when it comes to returns and the rules for asylum seekers."

"So it's a very structured and articulated strategy that we are putting in place because there is no silver bullet that solves the migratory problem. So you need to address the different aspects and the different components that you have."

Moreover, Mr.Sannino underlined the structured and articulated strategy that was put in place in Italy and the European Union to solve the migratory problem. 

He noted that what they are trying to achieve is "support and, once again, accompany the reform process that the country is making." 

"The strategic partnership has different pillars. One of them, an important one, is socio-economic development, the attraction of investment, and the facilitation of important experts," Sannino said.

He continued: "Everything that has to do with creating a business environment conducive to attracting investment and establishing a level playing field for exporters and importers so that we can develop, again, the capacity of Egypt to stand on its own feet. So, in this context, Italy is an important partner because there is a very strong economic, and social. Still, I would say also cultural link when it comes to education, to training. There is a long tradition and I suppose that it will continue to be this way.

Mr.Sannino also addressed the emergency Arab summit convened on Tuesday in Egypt and the Egyptian plan for the future of Gaza and its reconstruction. 

"I think that we still have to look at the plan because It's being delivered," he said.

The official added:" That said, First of all, I would say that the idea of having the summit, the idea of having a plan of the Arab countries, it's a very positive point. It's a very positive aspect,".

He noted there is not only one game in town but two games in town. One is based on the fact that the Palestinians will stay in Gaza and the other one is based on other ideas. 

"So, for us, this is a good plan. I mean, there is merit in looking at it, to see which is the content. Not easy, let's be clear. I mean, not all the elements are immediate. The timeline is also very tight for all that needs to be done," Sannino said. 

Furthermore, he noted there is a willingness to make an effort to see if this (Plan) is going to work. 

"That said, I mean, as I was saying before, we have not yet seen the paper. So, let's look at it. Let's see which are the elements that are there, which are the conditions in terms of security, which are the conditions in terms of governance, which is the willingness to substantiate financially the reconstruction of Gaza," he said" And it only starts then with the point of the holding of the ceasefire, the freeing of the hostages. So, it's many, many elements,".

Mr.Sannino also shed light on the actions against Hamas, affirming Hamas must be out of Gaza.

"European Union has been always very clear that we do not want to see Gaza as hosting terrorist organizations, And for us, Hamas is a terrorist organization. So, we need to see them out of the picture. That's why we need to see Palestinian authorities strengthened, reformed, and being able to take responsibility for the territory," he explained.

Additionally, Mr. Sannino voiced insight on who will be running the show and will be getting all the money to develop Gaza.

"There is this idea that it has to be Palestinian-run and Palestinian-led, But in that case, too, you need, again, a restructured and reformed Palestinian authority that can take this part of the responsibility to go back to Gaza, to gain the confidence of the people in Gaza, and to be able to run this complex operation," he said.

The official commented on the Suez Canal's safe sailing and the Bab el-Mandal Strait. 

"I think it is one of the cases where we have been quite clear because we have sent a mission there. I mean, ASPIR is essentially there to ensure, let's say, the free navigation and the freedom of, let's say, trade, commerce, and so on," he said. "So, we are very much committed to that. We do not have, as the European Union, any problem to think and to say that the Houthis are the spoiler in this process. And we don't like it,".

He also addressed whether he will take part in the next month's conference about Gaza. 

"Once again, I mean, the participation in the conference itself is very much linked to all these elements that I have mentioned. So, we need to look at the security and the governance component, because that's an important part of the story. After all, the commitment and engagement that is needed is huge," he added.

Mr. Sannino added:" I speak about, let's say, the needs assessment is of 53 billion euros, apart from the complexity of the operation. So, it's a huge undertaking, and there must be, not only for the European Union but for everybody, clarity about how this process is going to be run."