The European Union relaunches the Mediterranean neighborhood
In recent days, the European Union has launched the "New Agenda for the Mediterranean": a set of measures aimed at relaunching and strengthening partnerships with the so-called "southern neighborhood". The goal is to overcome the new great challenges by creating opportunities and advantages aimed at constant growth over time; all this passes through an economic investment plan to stimulate long-term socio-economic recovery precisely in the territories of the “southern neighborhood”. A challenge worth € 7 billion for the implementation of the Agenda from 2021 to 2027, an amount that could mobilize up to € 30 billion of private and public investment in the region over the next ten years.
A plan based on five macro areas of action
The new Agenda makes use of all the EU instruments and proposes to join forces to fight climate change and to accelerate the dual green and digital transition by exploiting its potential, to renew the commitment to common values, to address jointly forced displacement and migration and to strengthen the unity and determination of the EU, Member States and Southern Neighborhood partners to promote peace and security in the Mediterranean region. The new Agenda focuses on 5 areas of intervention:
Human development, good governance and the rule of law
- Renew the common commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and responsible governance
Resilience, prosperity and digital transition
- Support resilient, inclusive and connected economies that create opportunities for all, especially women and young people
Peace and security
- Provide support to countries to address security challenges and find solutions to ongoing conflicts
Migration and mobility
- Jointly tackle the challenges of forced displacement and irregular migration and facilitate safe and legal pathways for migration and mobility
Green transition: climate resilience, energy and the environment
- Protect the region's natural resources and generate green growth by harnessing the potential of a low-carbon future.
Inclusive Europe for a common recovery
A dedicated economic investment plan for the southern neighborhood aims to ensure that the quality of life of the people of the region improves and that the economic recovery, even after the COVID-19 pandemic, does not exclude anyone. The plan includes some preliminary guiding initiatives to strengthen resilience, create prosperity and intensify trade and investment in support of competitiveness and inclusive growth. Respect for human rights and the rule of law are part of it
integral to our partnership and are essential to ensure citizens' trust in the institutions.
