September 19, 2024 | In her mission as Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica has been entrusted with leading a new, dedicated portfolio that centers the Mediterranean within the European Commission’s agenda for 2024-2029. This portfolio directly addresses key points identified in the Pact of the Mediterranean, including fostering peace, stability, sustainable development, and deeper cooperation between the European Union and the Southern Mediterranean countries.
The Mediterranean is a vital hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It faces both unique challenges and significant opportunities. Through Commissioner Šuica’s leadership, the European Commission aims to bolster the EU’s relations with Mediterranean countries by fostering a more integrated and sustainable region. The Commission’s focus encompasses addressing climate change, promoting economic growth, enhancing education and employment opportunities, and supporting resilient governance.
PRIMA is glad for this renewed focus on the Mediterranean. With its extension to 2027 through an Amended Decision, ( (Decision (EU) 2024/1167) PRIMA is poised to help implement the EU’s Mediterranean agenda by promoting greener, more inclusive, and healthier societies, while tackling the core issues highlighted in the Pact.
Supporting the European Green Deal
Aligned with the European Green Deal, PRIMA continues to address key challenges such as water management, agricultural sustainability, and technological innovation. Through its initiatives, PRIMA is driving long-term solutions for water scarcity, food security, and environmental sustainability, helping to foster resilience in Southern Mediterranean countries.
Looking to the Future
As PRIMA looks beyond 2027, the EU-funded FUTURE4PRIMA project will advance research and innovation efforts to ensure that water and food systems in the region continue to evolve and become more resilient. This project ensures that PRIMA’s efforts extend well beyond 2028, providing sustainable solutions to the Mediterranean’s most pressing concerns.
As the EU embarks on this new chapter in its relationship with the Mediterranean, collaborative initiatives such as PRIMA remain vital to fostering stability, prosperity, and sustainability throughout the region.
