24 February 2026 23:00 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission says Mediterranean tourism needs decarbonisation

Key points

Support sustainable tourism and cultural heritage
Advance maritime decarbonisation and regulatory convergence

TL;DR

Commissioner Šuica recognises CLIA's efforts and welcomes the Cruise City Mayors Forum.
She calls for collaborative exchange among city leadership, local business, port authorities, cruise lines and stakeholders.
She advocates advancing maritime decarbonisation with sustainable and clean maritime fuels and more regulatory convergence: 'One sea, one standard'.
She links the Pact for the Mediterranean to creating a Common Mediterranean Space with sustainable tourism.

Original text

European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech of Commissioner Šuica at the European Summit of Cruise Lines International (CLIA) Madeira, 25 February 2026 Dear Charles Darr, Dear Miguel Albuquerque, Dear participants and guests, It is a great honour to address you today. Sustainable tourism plays a crucial role in the Mediterranean. This is true on all shores of the Mare Nostrum - and also for the connectivity between them. Tourism around the Mediterranean makes a significant contribution to promoting our common cultural heritage, and prosperity through sustainable development. And this is where maritime transport and cruise lines come in. The European Commission recognises CLIA's efforts to tackle the challenges and make the most of the opportunities of cruise shipping and tourism. As a former mayor of Dubrovnik, I welcome your Cruise City Mayors Forum. It is a very helpful platform of exchange between the cities and the cruise-liners they welcome. The communities recognise that cruise lines are a vital contributor to local coastal development around Europe. I am also well familiar with the issues on the ground. We all appreciate tourism, but it has to be sustainable. And this is why it is important that all actors come together. We need collaborative exchange between the city leadership, local business, the port authority, the cruise lines, and all other stakeholders involved. As we continue to support this vital industry, we also need to advance on the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. Sustainable and clean maritime fuels are a core element here. I appreciate the commitment of the cruise lines in this regard, and I encourage you to double down on it. It is a question of emissions globally, but also very locally in the port cities. As regulators, we also need to do our part. This is why I am advocating for more regulatory convergence. As for the Mediterranean, this means: One sea, one standard. And we need global standards as much as possible. It is a matter of competitiveness and of a level playing-field. And of minimising the pollution from vessels everywhere. The promotion of our cultural heritage, and the strengthening of the energy transition and clean technologies in the maritime sector are also what we are trying to do with the Pact for the Mediterranean. The Pact represents the new relationship of the European Union with our partner countries in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf. It is a win-win partnership for our people and our economies. We want to create a Common Mediterranean Space with sustainable tourism as an important part of it. I am grateful to all of you, cruise lines representatives and your association, for your valuable contribution and sense of responsibility. I wish you a fruitful exchange at this Summit. Thank you. SPEECH/26/461 Press contacts: Guillaume MERCIER (+32 2 29 80564) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

European Commission says Mediterranean tourism needs decarbonisation

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