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Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri addressed a session of the Euro-Med Summit of Regions held in Barcelona where the Joint Declaration on a New Pact for the Mediterranean was discussed, to be presented at the Euro-Med Summit of Ministers on 28 November and eventually before the European Commission.The New Pact for the Mediterranean calls for greater involvement of regions and cities in setting priorities, implementing projects and evaluating results.
Minister Camilleri stated that “at a time when global uncertainty is growing, we must strengthen cooperation between Europe and the Mediterranean. The New Pact for the Mediterranean must offer a clear and ambitious strategic vision that leads to concrete results in areas such as political dialogue, education, skills, social inclusion, trade and economic development.” He mentioned how the Mediterranean is a significant and unique region that connects cultures, trade and biodiversity. In addition, it also connects three continents and millions of people depend on its resources for their livelihood. Therefore, explained Camilleri, the Mediterranean must be given the importance it deserves in European policy again.
The Mediterranean Pact is a transformative and urgent initiative focusing on Euro-Mediterranean cooperation based on the Barcelona Process, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, and the dialogue on equal opportunities between the EU and the countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean where young people and civil society will have a primary role in ensuring its implementation and legitimacy.
This Pact calls on the European Commission and the responsible European institutions to incentivise the relevant and central role of regional and local authorities, set up a territory-based monitoring and evaluation committee, establish a technical assistance fund for decentralised cooperation in the Mediterranean and present this joint declaration to the Euro-Med Summit of Ministers on 28 November 2025 as a clear expression of the will and determination of the region and cities to play a central institutional role for the future of the Mediterranean.
Minister Clint Camilleri stated that “the Pact should be a catalyst for tangible and concrete progress, with an emphasis on areas where joint action can yield the best results such as water management, trade and investment, job creation, the blue economy, energy, connectivity, climate action, and migration, among others.”
The Minister added that to achieve these results, implementation should be guided by SMART priorities and flexible mechanisms developed in collaboration between all. Minister Camilleri insisted on the need for partnership and participation of all countries in the Mediterranean and that inclusiveness in the Pact should go beyond formal consultations. All parties in the Mediterranean, including local authorities, civil society, academia and youth, should be involved in defining priorities and implementing solutions. Therefore, the Minister stated “we must adopt a bottom-up approach that not only builds trust, but ensures that projects reflect the real needs of the people.”
Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri concluded by thanking all participants and reiterating Malta’s commitment to continue working towards effective cooperation and a common vision for a more prosperous, stable and resilient Mediterranean region.
Photo: MGP
