A renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood

A renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood

The European Union aims to mobilise public and private investment of up to €30 billion to support a green, digital, resilient and just recovery in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. The New Agenda for the Mediterranean, unveiled on 9 February 2021, is seen as an opportunity for Europe and the Mediterranean region to commit to a common and people-centred approach to addressing the economic, social, political and environmental challenges facing the region, which are exacerbated by Covid-19 pandemic. The New Agenda for the Mediterranean  aims to renew the partnership between the European Union and its southern neighbours launched 25 years ago by the Barcelona Declaration.

 

It focuses on five policy areas:

· Human development, good governance and the rule of law, renewing the shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and accountable governance;

· Resilience, prosperity and digital transition, supporting resilient, inclusive, sustainable and connected economies that create opportunities for all, especially women and young people;

· Peace and security, helping countries address security challenges and find solutions to ongoing conflicts;

· Migration and mobility, jointly addressing the challenges of forced displacement and irregular migration and facilitating safe and legal pathways for migration and mobility;

· Green transition, climate resilience, energy, and environment, taking advantage of the potential of a low-carbon future, protecting the region's natural resources and generating green growth.

 

It includes a dedicated Economic and Investment Plan worth up to €7 billion under the EU's new Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) to spur the long-term socio-economic recovery over 2021-2027. This could leverage up to €30 billion in public and private investment over next decade.

“A strengthened Mediterranean partnership remains a strategic imperative for the European Union” said EU High Representative and Vice-President, Josep Borrell. “25 years after the Barcelona Declaration and 10 years after the Arab Spring, challenges in the Mediterranean – many of which result from global trends – remain daunting. We are determined to work together with our Southern Partners on a new Agenda that will focus on people, especially women and youth, and help them meet their hopes for the future, enjoy their rights and build a peaceful, secure, more democratic, greener, prosperous and inclusive Southern Neighbourhood.”

The European Training Foundation works closely with the external services of the European Union in helping the countries of the region create opportunities for their citizens by making their education and training systems better meet the needs of businesses, society and individuals.

Did you like this article? If you would like to be notified when new content like this is published, subscribe to receive our email alerts.