European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Šuica at the Dubrovnik Forum 2026 - The Age of Multipolarity: Many Directions, One Future Dubrovnik, 6 July 2026 Ladies and gentlemen, Ministers, Excellencies, dear friends, It is a pleasure to be here with you, in my beautiful hometown, to talk about our diplomatic work across North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf, as you say, in the a...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Šuica at the Dubrovnik Forum 2026 - The Age of Multipolarity: Many Directions, One Future Dubrovnik, 6 July 2026 Ladies and gentlemen, Ministers, Excellencies, dear friends, It is a pleasure to be here with you, in my beautiful hometown, to talk about our diplomatic work across North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf, as you say, in the age of multipolarity. It is worth remembering: this city's magnificent walls were not built by a great empire. They were built by a small republic that navigated a world of competing powers. A republic that strengthened its position by creating links with other cities and countries. Relying on partnerships to uphold their own values and pursue their own interests, no matter what crises may come. This history resonates very much with me. Like Dubrovnik, Europe today must navigate a world of competing powers – building partnerships that allow us to uphold our values, protect our interests, and shape our own future. Because the world around us is changing rapidly. We no longer live in a predictable international order. The post-Cold War assumptions that shaped the world order for decades are no longer valid. Alliances are being tested. Trade routes, energy corridors, supply chains and digital networks are no longer only economic questions. They are strategic questions. For Europe, this means one thing very clearly: we cannot afford to be passive. In a more fragmented and multipolar world, Europe needs more partnerships. But these partnerships must be more operational and more concrete. I'm sure you are aware that, over the past year, the European Union has moved forward with major trade agreements and negotiations - from Mercosur and Mexico - to India and Australia. But we realised we need to pay close attention also to our Southern neighbours. This is why President Von der Leyen decided to create, for the first time, a dedicated portfolio for the Mediterranean. It is where Europe's security, energy, migration, trade, climate and demographic challenges meet. And while this new portfolio connects Europe with the Mediterranean countries of North Africa and the Middle East – we had to also include the Gulf countries. We need them because they have a major influence on the region. It is true - the Southern neighbourhood is a region of tension. The situation there remains volatile, and keeps changing as we speak. But it is also a region of real potential. And it is my task is to turn that potential into concrete cooperation. My job is to create these new partnerships. And in this multipolar world we need different models. In some cases, through bilateral strategic and comprehensive partnerships , such as those we already signed with Egypt, Tunisia or Jordan. However, we also need a more comprehensive and regional approach to our strategy. This is the purpose of the Pact for the Mediterranean . The Pact is not just another political declaration. It is a genuine Pact, with concrete Actions. It is co- owned and co-created with our partners. And twice a year it produces an Action Plan – with initiatives to be delivered directly - on the ground. The Pact is based on three main pillars. The first pillar is about people . This is where everything starts. Across the Mediterranean, young people want a prosperous future. At the same time, Europe is facing demographic change, labour shortages and skills gaps. These realities are connected. If we want Europe to remain competitive, we need skilled people. We need talent. And if we want our partners in the Mediterranean to thrive, they need jobs, investment and opportunities at home. This is why skills, education, vocational training and mobility are at the heart of the Pact. We are looking at initiatives such as a Mediterranean University , vocational training partnerships, youth exchanges, and the Youth Parliamentary Assembly . The second pillar is about economies . Energy corridors are power. Ports are power. Digital cables are power. This is where initiatives such as T-MED come in. T-MED is about building a clean energy and industrial partnership across the Mediterranean. It can help connect renewable energy potential in the Southern Mediterranean with European demand, while supporting local value chains. The EU has put forward over 5 billion euro in guarantees, de-risking large-scale investments in renewable energy, clean technologies, and strategic energy infrastructure like energy grids. By 2035, we expect to mobilise at least 25 billion euro in investments, generating 15 Gigawatts in renewable power – from solar and wind to liquid hydrogen. This benefits everyone: • Stronger growth and jobs for our partners. • Energy security at competitive prices for Europe (30-40% cheaper) • And faster decarbonisation. All while boosting industry and businesses on all shores of the Mediterranean. Bear in mind – our sea covers less than 1% of the world's water surface – yet it carries a quarter of all global maritime traffic and generates close to 400 billion Euro a year in economic value. That is 20% of global gross maritime products. This about building partnerships that benefit both sides: creating opportunities in the South, and strengthening Europe's energy security and competitiveness. Infrastructure such as MEDUSA - the largest submarine cable project in the Mediterranean. The original EU factsheet describes it as a 7,100 km fibre-optic cable connecting the two shores of the Mediterranean. They shape trade. And they shape influence. The third pillar is about security and preparedness – so that this value, and those that create it, are protected from crises. Here, too, we need to be honest. On migration, we need to move away from slogans and towards delivery. That means working with partner countries on border management. Fighting smugglers and traffickers, supporting returns, creating legal pathways and addressing root causes of migration. This is already producing results. The rates of illegal migration have already significantly diminished. We are building on the activities carried out by CEPOL, Europol and Eurojust under the Euromed Police and Euromed Justice programmes. We offer a cooperation platform for border management authorities in the region, reinforcing Frontex's support to Member States. At the same time, on preparedness, we know climate change is having a profound impact on our region – from water scarcity to wildfires. For example, we have the European Firefighting Hub in Cyprus. The hub is already fully operational and supporting Member States and partners responding to wildfires. But with investing so much on the reason, of course, there will be criticism. Some will say Europe is giving too much. Others will say Europe is doing too little. Some will look at our partnerships only through the lens of migration. Others will look only through the lens of money. But the truth is more strategic. Europe is not paying others to solve our problems. Europe is investing in its own security, competitiveness and resilience. And this is where the private sector is essential. Public institutions can set the framework. We can provide guarantees. We can mobilise financing. But delivery will require companies, investors, innovators, universities, ports, energy operators and local communities. The Pact for the Mediterranean must therefore be not only a diplomatic project, but also an economic and societal project. A young person in Tunis, Cairo, Amman or Beirut must see that partnership with Europe can bring opportunity. A company in Croatia, Italy, Greece or Spain must see that the Mediterranean is not only a market, but a strategic space for investment. Ladies and gentlemen, The Mediterranean has always been a place where history accelerates. And Europe is capable of acting as a confident, reliable and strategic partner. Not only as a payer – but as a true global player. And this is why discussions such as the Dubrovnik Forum matter. Thank you. SPEECH/26/1537 Press contacts: Guillaume MERCIER (+32 2 29 80564) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email
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