Video message by Commissioner Šuica at the event "Cyprus forward: Shaping EU and Mediterranean horizons" organised by the Parliament Magazine

Cyprus forward: Shaping EU and Mediterranean horizons

Dear friends,

Let me start by thanking Parliament Magazine for organising this first Mediterranean Forum – to discuss key challenges at the heart of my portfolio and of the Cyprus Presidency.

We are living through a moment of rupture in the international order.

Alliances that once were unshakable, are less certain.

And the cost of war is already being felt across the world – from the gas pump to the dinner table.

In moments like this – when trust and reliability are at a premium – it is crucial that we strengthen partnerships.

That is the main goal of the Pact for the Mediterranean.

To strengthen our ties with countries in North Africa, in the Middle East, and in the Gulf.

To build resilience across our economies.

And to share in the benefits of cooperation, building trust, and creating prosperity.

Take energy, for example.

Countries and citizens are struggling with energy costs.

We know the southern Mediterranean has the conditions to produce renewables 30% to 40% cheaper than in the EU.

Our partners need investment to produce more energy.

And we need reliable energy to arrive at our shores.

Because nobody can close the straits of sunshine and wind.

This is why we have put forward the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech initiative – T-MED.

Supporting our partners to develop the infrastructure for this energy to flow.

At the same time, we are working with our partners on other areas – from protecting this and other critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, to managing migration, to investing in skills, tackling skills gaps that companies face, north and south of the mediterranean.

This is even more important when we realise the huge untapped potential of the many unemployed young people in the southern Mediterranean.

Or the massive untapped potential of women – just as educated as men, but often un- or underemployed.

This cost is currently estimated to be close to half a trillion euro per year.

As you can see, the Pact focuses on long-term solutions.

And it works in parallel with bilateral partnerships.

We have signed strategic comprehensive partnerships with Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan.

And we intend to move ahead with talks with Morocco and Lebanon, for example.

We are also working towards peace where peace is most needed.

In Palestine, seeking a two-state solution.

In Syria, supporting socio-economic recovery.

Or in Lebanon, focusing on crisis management and long-term stabilisation.

We just put forward 1 billion euro to support the government-led emergency response.

In parallel we are also deepening our cooperation with our Gulf partners, on energy as well as across a wide range of other issues both at regional and at bilateral level.

I am looking forward to the EU-GCC Summit and EU-GCC Energy Ministerial later this year as well as in progress at our bilateral Strategic Partnership Agreements.

These opportunities to develop relationships are priceless.

We must not miss them.

That is why Fora such as this one are so important.

Because these partnerships cannot truly be accomplished without all of you.

Without policy-makers complementing our work and building on it.

Without investors taking advantage of the opportunities of the Pact.

Without businesses exploring new markets that our diplomats open up.

So, thank you all for your commitment – and I wish you a wonderful Forum.