The European Union announced a €42 billion “Mediterranean Pact” on Thursday, aiming to revive relations with southern neighbors after years of focusing on Eastern Europe.
Dubravka Suica, the EU commissioner for the Mediterranean, said the new pact seeks to address “feelings of neglect” among southern Mediterranean countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Lebanon.
The pact, built on three pillars, people, economy, and security, will prioritize education, vocational training, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism. One flagship initiative will be the creation of a Mediterranean University, designed to deepen academic and cultural cooperation.
Brussels said the program was drafted in close consultation with ten partner countries and aims to attract up to five times more private investment through the 2028–2034 EU budget framework. If approved by EU leaders in November, detailed financing terms will follow in 2026.
Suica described the pact as a comprehensive plan to reaffirm that this region matters to Europe, signaling a shift toward renewed engagement with North Africa and the wider Mediterranean.
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