The new Pact for the Mediterranean marks a shift toward equal partnerships and strategic investments, intertwining energy resilience, effective migration management, and the right to stay!
The geopolitical and demographic architecture of modern Europe is increasingly shaped along its southern borders. The Mediterranean basin has once again emerged as the epicentre of European security, green energy independence, and demographic sustainability—a reality strongly echoed at the MED9 Summit. For Diplomacy&Commerce magazine European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica breaks down the Union’s strategic shift in its southern neighborhood. Through the lens of the new Pact for the Mediterranean, the EU is moving beyond traditional donor-recipient dynamics to forge partnerships of equals rooted in shared interests and concrete projects. From the ambitious T-MED initiative designed to mobilize €25 billion in clean technologies to a historic €42.5 billion budget proposal for the region and science-driven demographic tools, Commissioner Šuica outlines how shared challenges are turning into joint opportunities, highlighting Croatia’s pivotal role in this new energy and connectivity map.
- How would you assess the current situation in the EU when we talk about the Mediterranean area, bearing in mind the problem of migration? To what extent are today’s instabilities in the Mediterranean – from the Middle East to North Africa – changing the priorities of the European Union?
For the EU, the Mediterranean is at the heart of our security, resilience and prosperity. This was also one of the key messages of the leaders at the MED9 Summit in Split: what happens across the Mediterranean directly affects the whole of Europe. Croatia and other Mediterranean EU Member States often experience these challenges first – from migration and security to energy, climate and water pressures. This is why we need to bring a stronger Mediterranean perspective into European decision-making and work more closely with our partners to address common challenges and find joint solutions. Protecting our external borders is a shared responsibility. We cannot manage migration effectively alone. Illegal border crossings have fallen to their lowest level since 2021, down 55% over the past two years and by more than a third this year alone. The EU approach to migration management continues to deliver concrete results. Our response is to go beyond crisis management. We need to continue preventing illegal entries and fight smugglers, while investing in skills, jobs and opportunities and developing safe and legal pathways. And for that, we need stronger, long-term partnerships for greater security and more opportunities across our region.
- What is essentially new that the Pact for the Mediterranean brings in relation to the current policy of the European Union towards the southern neighborhood?
The Pact changes the way we work with our Mediterranean partners. Its starting point is simple: partnership among equals, based on shared interests and concrete benefits. When we talk about the future of the Mediterranean, our partners must be around the table and part of the solutions. We have moved beyond traditional donor-recipient relationships towards partnerships combining political engagement and concrete projects – from energy and connectivity to water, skills, jobs, trade and security. For countries such as Croatia, the Pact also opens opportunities for stronger economic cooperation and investment across the region. The objective is very practical: projects implemented, investments mobilised and opportunities created for people and businesses.
- Demography is one of your priorities. Can Europe maintain its economic and political strength without a more serious demographic renewal?
Demography is one of Europe’s defining challenges, directly affecting our competitiveness, labour markets, public services and the sustainability of our communities. Our societies are ageing and our working-age population is shrinking. But these trends do not have to spell disaster if we act in time. What is important to understand is that demographic change does not affect everyone in the same way. Challenges differ not only between Member States, but also within countries and regions. Rural, island and coastal communities, for example, often face particularly strong demographic pressures. There is no single solution. We need affordable housing and childcare, quality jobs, better work-life balance and greater opportunities for young people. We also need to invest in skills and make better use of the talent already present in our societies. The Commission is addressing these challenges through its Demography Toolbox, which provides concrete measures to support Member States. Our Third Demography Report, published in July 2026, offers an updated picture of demographic trends, helping us shape policies based on solid scientific evidence and in-depth research. If we want a competitive and resilient Europe, we must put people at the centre of our policies. This means creating the conditions for people to build their future where they live, without feeling forced to leave because of a lack of opportunities. People should have a genuine choice about where to live and build their lives. Without that choice, frustration and a sense of being left behind will only grow. This is also the ambition behind our Right to Stay initiative.
- How to reconcile security challenges, economic cooperation and European values in the partnerships that the EU is building in the Mediterranean?
Security, prosperity and our values are not competing objectives. In the long term, they reinforce each other. We cannot have prosperity without security. Businesses need stability to grow, invest and create jobs. Our partnerships must therefore be comprehensive. We cooperate on security and migration, but we also invest in education, jobs, renewable energy, connectivity, water resilience and economic development. At the same time, our engagement remains firmly grounded in respect for international law and the fundamental values and principles on which the European Union is built. This is precisely the approach behind our Pact for the Mediterranean: building long-term partnerships based on mutual respect, shared interests and shared responsibility. Let me give you a concrete example. This summer, I launched the T-MED initiative, which aims to mobilise up to €25 billion in investments in renewable energy and clean technologies across the Southern Mediterranean by 2035. This will help accelerate the green transition, strengthen energy security and create new economic opportunities on both shores of the Mediterranean. This is how we turn our shared challenges into shared opportunities, while building a more secure, prosperous and interconnected Mediterranean.
- Where does the EU see space for Croatia in the new Mediterranean policy – politically, energy-wise and in terms of traffic?
Croatia is both a Mediterranean and Central European country, which gives it a particularly valuable perspective. Its first Presidency of MED9 has demonstrated its capacity to bring Mediterranean priorities into the wider European debate. At the same time, its chairmanship of the Three Seas Initiative has helped strengthen the link between the Mediterranean and Central Europe. Croatia is not simply part of this Mediterranean story. It can actively help shape Europe’s strategic approach, drawing on its experience, geographic position and strong European commitment. There is considerable potential, particularly in energy and connectivity. Europe needs diversified energy supplies, resilient infrastructure and stronger links with North Africa and the Middle East. Croatia’s strategic position on the Adriatic makes it an important partner in these efforts. The Pact for the Mediterranean also opens up concrete opportunities for Croatian companies, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, maritime transport, digital connectivity and other strategic sectors. I am pleased to see Croatia playing such an active role in shaping this new chapter of Europe’s engagement with the region.
- It is often said that Europe must react faster to the global crisis. Does the European Union today have enough political power to act as a true geopolitical actor?
Europe has considerable political and economic weight. The real question is how we translate that strength into collective action and concrete results. This requires political unity, strong partnerships and the resources to deliver on our ambitions. That is why the next EU budget is so important. The Commission has proposed to double funding for the Middle East and North Africa to €42.5 billion, a crucial investment to support our ambition of creating a Common Mediterranean Space. Negotiations are ongoing, and I hope the Council and the European Parliament will recognise the strategic importance of this proposal. But geopolitical influence is not only about financial resources. Europe must also be a reliable partner and a strong defender of international law and effective multilateralism. In an increasingly divided world, our strength lies in building bridges, fostering cooperation and developing lasting partnerships. This is also at the heart of my mandate: strengthening Europe’s engagement with countries across North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf, and turning our shared interests into concrete cooperation and results.