20-21 February 2025, Rome, Italy – Building up on years of excellent relations, the European Union was represented at high level and contributed to the discussions of the 19th Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), generously hosted by the Italian Parliament, in Rome.
On 20 February, Hon. Dubravka Šuica, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean and former PAM Vice-President, delivered remarks during the Opening Ceremony of the Plenary. She provided PAM delegates and partners with an overview of her newly established portfolio for the Mediterranean within the European Commission, along with the new Directorate for the Middle East and North Africa, which serves as a key entry point for regional engagement.
Commissioner Šuica highlighted the EU commitment to fostering strong and mutually beneficial partnerships, aiming at addressing pressing challenges related to regional security, migration flows, climate change, and economic stability. She also outlined upcoming EU initiatives, including the Regional Investment Initiative and reinforced migration partnerships, which are part of a broader strategic approach to the Mediterranean.
On the second day of the Plenary Session, two Members of the European Parliament, Hon. Ruggero Razza (Italy), Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Maghreb Countries and the Arab Maghreb Union, and Hon. Reinhold Lopatka (Austria), Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula, made their presentations on fostering dialogue between the European Parliament and the PAM Regions.
In his speech, Hon. Razza emphasized the Mediterranean’s role as a space of interdependence, rather than merely Europe’s southern border, and welcomed the creation of a dedicated Mediterranean portfolio within the European Commission, as well as the upcoming presentation of the new Pact for the Mediterranean.
Hon. Lopatka reaffirmed the need to further reinforce parliamentary dialogue and exchanges between PAM and the European Parliament. He emphasized that PAM remains a crucial partner for Europe in strengthening ties with Mediterranean and Gulf countries, and underscored the need to combat irregular migration, while advancing climate cooperation to mitigate the region’s worsening climate and environmental threats.
PAM will continue working with the EU on joint initiatives to promote peace and stability in its regions, and well beyond. //