With whom we work
The EU established its privileged partnership with the Southern shores of the Mediterranean back in 1995 with the launch of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership at the Barcelona Conference, establishing the goal of an area of peace, stability, economic prosperity, upholding democratic values and human rights. Our current flagship initiative is the Pact for the Mediterranean - launched in November 2025 at the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Conference.
EU cooperation with the Southern Neighbourhood takes place in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and includes ten partner countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine*, Syria and Tunisia.
The ENP was launched in 2004 to strengthen the prosperity, stability and security for all. The Policy has evolved over time, taking into account the developments and intricacies of the region.
On 9 February 2021 the European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication proposing an ambitious new Agenda for the Mediterranean. It includes a dedicated Economic and Investment Plan to spur the long-term socio-economic recovery in the Southern Neighbourhood.
In November 2025, as a response to the recent geo-strategic and global economic uncertainties where dependencies are increasingly weaponised, the EU launched the Pact for the Mediterranean. It was co-created together with the partners in the southern Mediterranean to bring the cooperation in areas of mutual interest to a new level. The Pact is being rolled out by an Action Plan of ready-to-go projects that create tangible results for the people and the economies – to boost our joint prosperity and security.
Factsheets
- Pact for the Mediterranean factsheet
- Pact for the Mediterranean: Action Plan - Spring 2026
- Towards a renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood
* This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.