The Pact for the Mediterranean
Summary
The EU will forge a new pact with Southern Neighbourhood partners, building on the 2021 Agenda, with a strong digital pillar to deepen political engagement and cooperation. Priorities include secure connectivity under Global Gateway (most visibly the MEDUSA submarine cable linking the northern and southern shores and boosting regional capacity) alongside resilient cable and satellite links. Cooperation will use Trade & Technology-style dialogues, Cyber Dialogues, and association to Horizon Europe and Digital Europe, embedded in tailor-made Comprehensive and Strategic Partnerships (e.g. Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan). Work will advance trusted 5G/cable security, skills and innovation, and gradual policy harmonisation supporting integration with EU digital rules where relevant.
Action items
1–6 of 65 items
Source order · D = digital dimension- Item 1
Higher Education, Skills and Research
- Item 2
Mediterranean University: New multi-campus higher education institution across the Common Mediterranean Space offering humanities, natural sciences, and technical science programmes, building on existing European University Alliances and Erasmus+ capacity-building actions, with joint curricula, joint degrees, student and staff exchanges, summer schools, and micro-credentials.
- Item 3
Mediterranean Innovation and Research Centres: Establishment and development of university-industry knowledge and technology transfer centres across the Mediterranean, bringing together universities, the private sector, innovators, startups, and investors.
- Item 4
Mediterranean Science Diplomacy Centre: New centre bridging science and policy, training diplomatic and technical staff in cross-border negotiation, joint project design, and evidence-based policy advice.
- Item 5
TVET Ecosystem Scale-Up: Mediterranean — Scaling up Technical and Vocational Education and Training ecosystems in southern Mediterranean partners by aligning vocational training with labour market needs in sectors of mutual interest, including agriculture, food processing, the digital sector, cultural industries, and tourism.
- Item 6
Youth Guarantee Adaptation: Mediterranean — Support for the development of Youth Guarantee schemes tailored to regional and local contexts in southern Mediterranean partner countries to secure employment pathways for young people.