EU presents first Action Plan under the Pact for the Mediterranean

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the European Commission outlined to representatives from EU Member States and the Southern Mediterranean the first set of key initiatives, in the form of an Action Plan, to advance the implementation of the Pact for the Mediterranean.

The Pact was developed through an extensive and inclusive consultation process with governments, civil society, youth, private sector, and researchers across the Mediterranean. This joint effort resulted in over 100 initiatives which will directly benefit citizens and businesses. This first edition of the Action Plan launches the first 21 co-designed, concrete and innovative actions for implementation this year.

The main initiatives under the Pact’s three pillars are:

First pillar: People. Driving Force for Change, Connections, and Innovations:

Eight actions among which is the Mediterranean University Initiative, aimed at deepening academic collaboration, research excellence, and innovation across the region; and a Youth Parliamentary Assembly, enabling young, elected European and Southern Mediterranean representatives to gather in a structured platform and contribute to regional policies.

Second pillar: Stronger, More Sustainable, and Integrated Economies:

Four actions among which is the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean-Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED) and its Investment Platform to fast-track renewable energy, electricity grid, and clean-tech projects, mobilising public and private funding, mitigating financial risks, and fostering industry partnerships. Other actions related to this pillar of the Pact include a ‘Tech Business Offer’ – and integrated approach combining public-private investment with policy support – to promote secure and trusted digital interconnection across the Mediterranean region. This will be accomplished by boosting regional connectivity via submarine cables, improving telecoms capacity, fostering regulatory cooperation, and enabling cybersecurity technical exchanges.

Third pillar: Security, Preparedness, and Migration Management:

Nine actions among which is a European Firefighting Hub, a regional centre to enhance disaster preparedness and response based in Cyprus, which for the first time will offer support also to southern Mediterranean countries, and a ‘MED-OP’, which will support operational efforts in combating serious and organised crime, in cooperation with Justice and Home Affairs agencies. Another action is ‘Secure borders’ to strengthen operational and institutional border management capacities and the governance of the security sector. On migration management, in particular, one of the actions will implement the ‘whole-of-route approach’, tackling migration issues where they start and fighting people smuggling to pave the way for legal pathways.

Next Steps

Amid an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, the EU remains committed to strengthening partnerships across the Mediterranean. The Action Plan is a flexible and dynamic document that will be regularly updated and adapted to the changing context through continuous consultations with stakeholders and partners, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness. The second version of the Action Plan is expected in autumn 2026. An interactive webpage will allow stakeholders to identify concrete projects and initiatives, explore them by country and sector, and follow their progress, ensuring transparency and engagement while showing the tangible impact of the Pact across the region.

Background

The Pact for the Mediterranean was developed by the European Commission and the European External Action Service, and adopted by the College in October 2025, ahead of its official launch by EU and Southern Mediterranean partners on 28 November 2025, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration.

Rooted in the principles of co-creation, co-ownership and shared responsibility, the Pact is the result of an unprecedented, inclusive consultation process, ensuring alignment with the real needs and aspirations of the citizens on both shores of the Mediterranean.

The Pact for the Mediterranean is a joint effort between the EU, its Member States and the southern Mediterranean partners, to work together on shared priorities for a connected, integrated, prosperous, resilient and secure Common Mediterranean Space.

The initiatives proposed under the Pact were welcomed by Member States during the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 November 2025, as well as at the European Council meeting of 18 December 2025. Leaders called for a swift and efficient implementation, underpinned by principles of co-creation, co-ownership, mutual interest and joint responsibility.

For more information

Pact for the Mediterranean: official webpage

Pact for the Mediterranean: factsheet

Pact’s Action Plan: factsheet

Action Plan

Joint communication on the Pact for the Mediterranean

Interactive Webpage