EESC President at 2025 Euromed Summit: Dialogue, Peace and Civil Society

EESC President Oliver Röpke took part in the 2025 Euromed Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions in Istanbul, co-organised by the European Commission (DG NEAR) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). This year’s edition marked the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration and took place under the theme A New Pact for the Mediterranean.

In his opening address, President Röpke underlined the urgency of forging a renewed regional partnership “rooted in peace, dignity, economic resilience, youth opportunity and water cooperation.” Amid growing geopolitical instability, he stressed that “lasting peace in the region will only be possible through dialogue, respect for human rights and full adherence to international law.”

He reiterated the EESC’s call to stop the fighting, return to serious negotiations, and prevent further human suffering and irreversible damage to the international order. He urged all parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access in Gaza and to prioritise the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The President also highlighted the essential role of civil society in shaping and delivering the New Pact. “This Pact must not only be about policy—it must be about people. Youth, women, and local communities must be given the tools and opportunities to shape a sustainable and inclusive future,” he said.

In line with the EESC’s long-standing priorities, the Summit’s sessions focused on the upcoming New Pact for the Mediterranean due this year, strengthening civil society dialogue, promoting entrepreneurship, and deepening cooperation on water resilience and climate adaptation.

Meeting with Acting Mayor of Istanbul

On the margins of the Summit, President Röpke also met with Nuri Aslan, Acting Mayor of Istanbul, for a cordial and constructive discussion. He expressed the EESC’s solidarity with Türkiye’s democratically elected local leaders and underlined that “freely elected local leaders are the backbone of democracy and must be able to carry out their duties without interference.”

He confirmed the EESC’s support for Turkish civil society and its ongoing commitment to defending democratic values and civic space in Türkiye. The meeting took place in the context of growing international concerns over political interference in local governance and the imprisonment of Istanbul’s elected mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.President Röpke commended the work of Istanbul’s municipal leadership in promoting transparency, civic participation, and international engagement, and welcomed the continued cooperation between the EESC and the city’s EU & Foreign Relations Commission.

A Voice for Civil Society

The EESC delegation included 20 members, representing organised civil society from across Europe. As in previous years, the Committee reaffirmed its role as a bridge between institutions and citizens—on both shores of the Mediterranean.

“The future of this region depends on meaningful cooperation, led by and for its people,” President Röpke concluded. “The EESC will continue working with its partners to ensure that civil society is not just heard, but heeded.”