The Pact for the Mediterranean

A Common Mediterranean Space

The Mediterranean region stands at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia, a vibrant hub of cultures, economies, and shared histories. Yet it also faces complex global and regional challenges that call for renewed cooperation. To respond, the European Union is proposing the Pact for the Mediterranean, a strengthened partnership bringing together countries across the Mediterranean to shape a more integrated, resilient and secure Common Mediterranean Space.

The Pact for the Mediterranean

The Pact for the Mediterranean is a flagship initiative of the European Commission, jointly set out with the External Action service. It represents an ambitious step forward in deepening cooperation and reinforcing the EU’s relations with its southern Mediterranean partners^[1]. Through concrete, innovative actions and clear governance, the Pact will mobilise existing EU instruments and resources to:

• Unlock sustainable investment and economic growth;
• Create opportunities for young people and businesses;
• Advance clean energy and green technologies;
• Improve water management and climate adaptation;
• Boost trade, investment and job creation;
• Strengthen education, skills and mobility across the region;
• Drive digital innovation;
• Enhance security, responsiveness and right-based migration management. 

The Pact will scale up actions with proven potential to create lasting, transformative impact, delivering concrete results that make a difference in people’s lives.

A Pact Built on Listening

The Pact for the Mediterranean is the result of a broad and inclusive consultation process involving a wide range of stakeholders. These include the 10 Southern Neighbourhood partners, EU Member States and institutions, neighbouring non-EU countries, UN agencies, and other international and regional organisations such as the Union for the Mediterranean and the Anna Lindh Foundation. Civil society also played a key role, with contributions from youth organisations, academia, think tanks and representatives from the economic, cultural and social sectors. The outcomes of these consultations were presented at the EU–Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting on 14 July 2025, where all partners reaffirmed their commitment to work together in shaping the foundations of the Pact.

Geographic Scope

While focused initially on the southern Mediterranean, the Pact has the potential to expand its scope over time, particularly towards Gulf partners. These countries serve as an essential bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa, and can play a vital role in addressing political, economic and humanitarian challenges across the broader Mediterranean and Middle East regions.

Pillars

The Pact for the Mediterranean establishes a practical, flexible framework for cooperation, built around three interlinked thematic areas or “pillars”:

1. People: driving force for change, connections and innovation
2. Stronger, more sustainable and integrated economies
3. Security, preparedness and migration management

Each pillar includes new, actionable initiatives as well as proposals to expand and strengthen existing programmes with transformative potential. The Pact’s flexible approach will allow participating partners to engage at different levels and adapt initiatives to their specific contexts.

Funding

All relevant EU financial instruments, including the NDICI-Global Europe, the Global Gateway and the future Global Europe, will be mobilised in support of the Pact. Additional contributions will be sought from EU Member States and Southern Mediterranean partners, international financial institutions and the private sector. This coordinated approach will foster synergies and create opportunities for people and businesses across the region.

What’s Next

The Pact for the Mediterranean is proposed for political endorsement in November 2025, coinciding with the 30^th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration, a milestone moment for Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. Implementation will be guided by a dedicated Action Plan, to be presented in the first quarter of 2026. Progress will be regularly assessed to ensure transparency, accountability and measurable results.

Contributions

In contribution to the Pact, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) analysed the Mediterranean region’s demographic patterns, migration trends and education outcomes. The JRC’s findings underscore the need to promote mutually beneficial partnerships to address the region's interconnected challenges.
 

^[1]The southern Mediterranean encompasses the 10 partners of the Southern Neighbourhood: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.