The Role of the Private Sector and Civil Society in Strengthening Economic Cooperation within the Pact for the Mediterranean

Background 

The new Pact for the Mediterranean can only achieve its economic, political, social and environmental objectives in the long term if peace and stability are guaranteed throughout the region. The EESC therefore calls on all parties involved in military conflicts to immediately cease all hostilities and attacks and to fully respect human rights and international humanitarian law. In this context, the European Union has a particular responsibility, through its diplomatic, political and civilian instruments, to actively promote peace, dialogue and confidence-building measures in the region. Only under these conditions can all people in the region live in peace and have access to basic services, enabling them to live in dignity and enjoy an adequate standard of living.

The Pact for the Mediterranean is presented as a positive future opportunity that can only be achieved through equal partnership between the EU, its Member States and southern Mediterranean partners. The pact will also advance joint initiatives to enhance education, vocational training and labour mobility, creating greater opportunities for young people and promoting long-term regional stability. 

The opinion emphasises the role of the private sector and civil society in fostering sustainable development and inclusive growth in cooperation between the EU and southern Mediterranean countries.

EESC member and rapporteur Thomas Wagnsonner underlined that the private sector should have easier access to financing and added: ‘Many southern Mediterranean countries have first-generation EU trade agreements that need modernising. Organised civil society should play a key role in monitoring sustainability commitments through domestic advisory groups overseeing labour, environmental and human rights standards’.

Co-rapporteur Lidija Pavić-Rogošić underlined the importance of investing in young people and circular economy ‘we are likely to create a future-safe, sustainable economy for our youth’. 

In this opinion the EESC:

• Stresses the need for structured, permanent involvement of organised civil society to ensure effective cooperation and accountability;
• Believes that reforms on access to finance, simplified procedures, digitalisation and connectivity targeting micro, small, medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are necessary to unlock the potential of the private sector;
• Underlines that trade and investment initiatives should promote sustainable development and decent work, emphasising co-development approaches with fair wages, safe conditions, enforceable standards and investments in sustainable regional projects;
• Advocates that young people and women require targeted aid and representation in governance and entrepreneurship programmes to shape economic cooperation;
• Supports exploring the creation of a regional development bank or similar financial mechanism to finance infrastructure, MSMEs, start-ups and social economy actors.

Additional Information

EESC section: External Relations (REX)

Opinion number: REX/613- EESC

Opinion type: Exploratory opinion

Rapporteur: Thomas Wagnsonner, Workers – GR II, Austria

Co-rapporteur: Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, Civil Society Organisations – GR III, Croatia

Date of adoption by the section: 17 April 2026

Date of adoption in plenary: 29-30 April 2026

Result of the vote in plenary: 177 in favour/1 against/ 6 abstentions

Contact 

Millie Tsoumani

Press Officer, Email: Amalia.Tsoumani@eesc.europa.eu

Andreas Berger 

Policy Officer, Email: Andreas.Berger@eesc.europa.eu