A new Pact for the Mediterranean

Key points

The EESC:

• calls for the Pact to actively promote peace, democracy, good governance, the fight against corruption, the rule of law, inclusive prosperity, civic spaces, and respect for international humanitarian law, as foundations for cooperation in the Mediterranean region;
• recommends that monitoring and evaluation of the Pact be participatory from the outset, involving civil society organisations, social partners, and youth representatives in shaping indicators, verifying data, and guiding implementation;
• highlights the need for targeted support for social and civil dialogue mechanisms and organisations, including a stronger role for Economic and Social Councils, the Mediterranean Youth Council, and the establishment of similar bodies in countries where they do not yet exist;
• proposes the creation of a formal investment coordination mechanism—such as a regional investment bank or fund involving all partner countries and civil society—to mobilise resources and finance key infrastructure projects for inclusive and green growth;
• emphasises the need to expand programmes like Erasmus+ and Interreg with dedicated funding lines for civil society and simplified application processes, as well as to invest in capacity-building and civic education, including non-formal learning to strengthen participatory governance;
• advocates for negotiations to establish a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area incorporating sustainable development chapters, joint management of mobility, and civil society monitoring through Domestic Advisory Groups;
• supports building upon the Naples Process to enhance cultural collaboration as a shared regional good, launching a Euro-Mediterranean Cultural Fund, and aligning EU funding with regional recovery efforts such as the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.