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Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf
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What we do?

The European Union, North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf share many aspirations, challenges and perspectives. A strengthened partnership with these countries remains a strategic imperative for Europe, paving the way towards a common sustainable prosperity, security and resilience.

Southern Neighbourhood Policy

The EU established its privileged partnership with the Eastern and 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.

EU cooperation with the Southern Neighbourhood has then taken place in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), presented in 2004 to strengthen the prosperity, stability and security for all. It includes ten partner countries: AlgeriaEgyptIsraelJordanLebanonLibyaMoroccoPalestine*, Syria and TunisiaWith many of the partners the EU also concluded Association Agreements and the Partnership Priorities that set out the framework and priorities of cooperation.

To reinforce the strategic partnership between the European Union and its Southern Neighbourhood partners, the European Commission and the High Representative adopted on 9 February 2021 a Joint Communication proposing a renewed partnership with Southern Neighbourhood based on a new Agenda for the Mediterranean. It included a dedicated Economic and Investment Plan to spur the long-term socio-economic recovery, which also implements the Global Gateway in the Southern Neighbourhood.

Strategic and Comprehensive Partnerships

In the past years, building on the Association Agreements and the Partnership Priorities, Strategic and Comprehensive Partnerships have been signed with TunisiaEgypt and Jordan. These partnerships allow to better integrate EU funding instruments, regulatory cooperation and the reform agenda, while also crowding in private finance. They focus on investment, economic stability, jobs, energy, transport, security, migration and other areas of mutual interest.

New Pact for the Mediterranean

A new Pact for the Mediterranean is currently in preparation by DG MENA, in cooperation with the European External Action Service (EEAS). Thirty years after the launch of the Barcelona Process, it will aim at providing a new impetus to the EU engagement in the Mediterranean region. The Pact is due to be presented in the third quarter of 2025, and will be developed through intensive and in-depth consultations with partner countries, Member States, but also local authorities, civil society, academia, research institutions, the business sector, and other interested parties from both the EU and the Southern Mediterranean region.  

The Pact for the Mediterranean intends to cover the ten countries of the Southern Neighbourhood. It will aim to strengthen the common space of peace, prosperity and stability in the Mediterranean region, building on the foundations of the Agenda for the Mediterranean and deepening cooperation in areas where both sides can mutually benefit. Building on an open and frank political dialogue with the partner countries in the region, the Pact will identify thematic areas where the EU and the partner countries can work jointly to deliver concrete improvements and strengthen integration through joint initiatives. These could include specific initiatives in areas such as energy and clean tech, trade and investment, talents, skills and jobs development, higher education, culture and sport, digital and transport connectivity, security.

Middle East

In addition, the MENA Directorate-General will work with the EEAS on preparation of an EU Middle East Strategy with a view to the day after the war in Gaza, focusing on promoting all the steps needed for a two-state solution and strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders. In Iran, a Multiannual Indicative Plan (MIP) was approved in 2021. Since then, EU-Iran relations have deteriorated significantly, and the European Commission has decided to discontinue the MIP. However, the EU continues to support the Afghan refugee population and their host communities in Iran. The EU remains committed to support Iraq, as the country’s economic recovery and the consolidation of its democracy are key to promote stability not only in Iraq, but also in the wider region and in Europe.

The Gulf

The EU has set up its first ever Strategy for the Gulf region in 2022 (Joint Communication on a strategic partnership with the Gulf). The Joint communication sets out a path for the EU to develop a closer, forward-looking partnership with the Gulf countries in several priority areas. These include increasing trade and investment, fighting climate change, ensuring energy security and a smooth green transition, enhancing cooperation on connectivity and digitalization, meeting growing global development and humanitarian needs and promoting peace and stability, including the de-escalation of tensions in the broader region. 

The MENA Directorate-General will support the implementation of this Strategy alongside the EEAS and will advance work on strategic partnership agreements with each of the six Gulf countries.

In Yemen, the EU supports sustainable development through a Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus and employing a whole-of-Yemen approach that focuses on resilience, livelihoods, peace and security. This strategy aims to meet immediate needs, while simultaneously supporting bridging measures that contribute towards addressing systemic causes of conflict.