On Friday 14 November, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, called for closer security cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
“In the current context of geopolitical uncertainty and growing instability in the region, strengthening our cooperation on security around the Mediterranean is essential”, the Commissioner stressed at the EU-MENA Ministerial Conference on Internal Security in Lisbon. In her view, the best approach is to anticipate “together” the evolution of the security situation in the Mediterranean.
The Commissioner pointed out that one of the pillars of the Pact for the Mediterranean was security, preparedness and migration management.
As part of the Pact, “we will launch an EU-Mediterranean initiative for peace and security to promote dialogue in areas such as the fight against terrorism and the prevention of radicalisation and extremism”, announced Ms Šuica. She also stressed the need to strengthen maritime safety “by combating clandestine fleets and at-risk shipping practices”. Port security is an “absolute priority” in order to guarantee the security of supply chains, the safety of maritime traffic and the smooth flow of trade. “We will establish a dialogue on security policies with our Mediterranean partners and strengthen operational police and judicial cooperation, particularly in the areas of customs and capacity building”, the European Commissioner explained.
Implementing security programmes across the region “that will tackle cybercrime and drug trafficking and build preparedness and resilience” is another area for action.
Ms Šuica also emphasised the fight against drug trafficking and the management of migration. “The EU is currently drawing up a multiannual funding programme of €675 million for North Africa in the field of migration for the period 2025-2027”, she announced, adding that the next meeting of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling will take place in December in Brussels. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)