On 8 April 2025, the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), with the support of the EU Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA), convened a high-level closed-door exchange at the European Commission’s Berlaymont building. The session brought together Commissioner for the Mediterranean and for Demography, Dubravka Šuica, DG MENA and EEAS officials, and a selected group of leading experts and researchers from the EuroMeSCo network.

Held in the context of the ongoing reflection process around the future Pact for the Mediterranean, the meeting aimed to advance a shared strategic vision and identify key transversal priorities for Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. This initiative forms part of the EuroMeSCo Consultation Circles, a series of structured expert dialogues designed to feed into the EU’s engagement with its Southern Neighbours.

Amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics, mounting climate and demographic pressures, and growing demands for more inclusive and effective partnerships, the Pact for the Mediterranean is expected to offer a renewed strategic framework to guide cooperation in the region. Against this backdrop, the exchange offered a timely platform for participants to contribute evidence-based insights and policy recommendations rooted in regional realities.

The session also enabled a direct channel of dialogue between top-level EU officials and regional knowledge-holders, fostering a more inclusive and participatory approach to shaping the EU’s external action.

The exchange involved Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean; Raül Hernández Sagrera, Member of Cabinet of Commissioner Šuica; Michael Karnitschnig, Acting Deputy Director-General and Director, Gulf (MENA.C) (European Commission); Francisco Gaztelu, Director, North Africa (MENA.A) (European Commission); Rosamaria Gili, Director, Middle East and North Africa (EEAS); Katerina Wolfova, Head of Unit, Egypt, Pact for the Mediterranean (MENA.A.2) (European Commission); Ingrid Schwaiger (DG MENA A.2); Senen Florensa, Executive President (IEMed); Roger Albinyana, Managing Director (IEMed); Mariam Lutfi, Policy Officer; Nora Aboushady, Associate Professor of Economics (Cairo University) and Senior Researcher (IDOS); Rabha Allam, Expert (ACPSS); Nimrod Goren, President and Founder (Mitvim) and Executive Founder (Diplomeds); Zine Labidine Ghebouli, Visiting Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme (ECFR); Nadim Houry, Executive Director (ARI); Ivan Martin, Senior Fellow (PCNS); James Moran, Associate Senior Research Fellow (CEPS); Katarzyna Sidło, Senior Policy Analyst for the Middle East and North Africa (EUISS); Eduard Soler i Lecha, Lecturer of International Relations (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) and Associate Senior Researcher (CIDOB); Eckart Woertz, Director, Institute for Middle East Studies (GIGA).