On a new co-ownership for the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations – the Pact for the Mediterranean
AFET-PR-788019
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Nicola Zingaretti
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This is a draft report by Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs on a new co-ownership for the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations, known as the Pact for the Mediterranean.¶¶¶ It calls for reviving the role of people and civil society, making co-ownership the central principle of the renewed partnership, and building it on multilevel governance rather than mere consultation.¶¶¶ It asks for Parliament to oversee the Pact's implementation, for structured dialogues before Action Plan updates, and for an enhanced role for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean.¶¶¶ It welcomes the Mediterranean University initiative, proposes a Civil Society Advisory Mechanism, and invites the Commission and member states to expand mobility through a fast-track Euromed Visa programme and a reformed Erasmus+ programme.¶¶¶ It supports modernising trade, developing solar, wind and green hydrogen potential, the blue economy, and the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean-Tech Cooperation Initiative.¶¶¶ It calls for a comprehensive, rights-based approach to migration and proposes that the Commission launch an initiative to restore the 'right to a name' for victims in the Mediterranean.¶¶
Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament adopt a resolution setting out its priorities for Euro-Mediterranean relations under the Pact for the Mediterranean, guided by co-ownership, people-to-people ties and democracy, and calling for stronger parliamentary oversight, funding and civil society involvement.¶¶¶
Key points
- Considers it essential to revive the active role of people and civil society to rebuild dialogue, stability and peace, and calls for a new phase driven by people, civil society, businesses and local administrators.¶
- Believes the Pact is an opportunity to renew Euro-Mediterranean relations on co-ownership as its central principle, with success depending on genuine involvement of people, local and regional authorities, social partners and civil society organisations.¶
- Shares the goal of revitalising the Mediterranean as a common space for cooperation and economic and cultural exchange, and welcomes the appointment of the first European Commissioner for the Mediterranean and a dedicated Directorate-General.¶¶
- Supports the Action Plan's priority measures, says all stages should reflect a coherent strategic approach, and reiterates the need for a strong focus on democracy, the rule of law, human rights and transparency.¶¶
- Recognises the role of local and regional authorities, social partners, civil society, academia and the private sector, and says implementation requires moving from mere consultation to true multilevel governance.¶
- Believes Parliament must play a central role in overseeing the Pact's implementation, calls for structured dialogues with partner countries and Parliament before Action Plan updates, and insists the PA-UfM be given a substantive and enhanced role.¶¶¶
- Welcomes the proposed Youth Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean, encourages anchoring it within the PA-UfM, and underlines the importance of South-South links and regional dialogue.¶¶
- Insists that adequate funding for the Euro-Mediterranean partnership be secured in the next multiannual framework, saying the Pact's ambition will be judged by the resources allocated.¶
- Welcomes the Mediterranean University initiative, considers twinning arrangements the most credible instrument for academic cooperation, and invites the Commission and member states to expand mobility through a fast-track Euromed Visa programme and a reformed Erasmus+ programme.¶¶¶
- Proposes a formal Civil Society Advisory Mechanism linked to the Pact's governance structure, and supports modernising trade relations and boosting investment flows through new forms of agreement.¶¶
- Notes untapped solar, wind and green hydrogen potential to be developed for regional energy security, stresses the blue economy as a driver of sustainable development and jobs, and highlights the need for the T-MED initiative to create a structured pipeline of projects.¶¶¶
- Calls for a comprehensive, rights-based and human-centred approach to migration, and proposes that the Commission undertake a search effort and launch an initiative to restore the 'right to a name' for victims in the Mediterranean.¶¶
Who is affected
- Southern Mediterranean partner countries, which would take part in structured dialogues before Action Plan updates and in South-South cooperation.¶¶
- Local and regional authorities, social partners, civil society organisations, academia and the private sector, which would move from consultation to multilevel governance.¶
- Students, researchers and workers, who would benefit from a fast-track Euromed Visa programme, a reformed Erasmus+ programme and the Mediterranean University initiative.¶¶
- Migrants and victims of smuggling and human trafficking networks in the Mediterranean, for whom a search effort and a 'right to a name' initiative are proposed.¶
- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, which would receive a substantive and enhanced oversight role.¶
Figures and deadlines
- '30 years after the launch of the Barcelona Process' — the time elapsed since the Barcelona Process began.¶
- '27 and 28 November 1995' — dates of the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference.¶
- '16 October 2025' — date of the joint communication 'Pact for the Mediterranean: One Sea, One Pact, One Future'.¶
- '20 November 2025' — date of the Council conclusions on the Pact for the Mediterranean.¶
- 'September 2023' — date of the MED23 Mediterranean Encounters held in Marseille.¶