ASCAME and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) have agreed to reactivate their longstanding strategic cooperation as key stakeholders supporting the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. Both institutions share a long history of engagement within the framework of the Barcelona Process and reaffirm their common objective of promoting sustainable economic development and regional cooperation across the Mediterranean.
This renewed engagement takes place at a moment of strategic reflection for both organizations, as they adapt their priorities to the evolving framework of the forthcoming Mediterranean Pact, the new European policy for the region aimed at strengthening cooperation, economic integration, stability, and sustainable development across the Mediterranean basin.
The meeting, held at the Pedralbes Palace on 5 March, took place at a particularly important juncture for both institutions. On the one hand, ASCAME has recently entered a new institutional phase under the presidency of Dr. Josep Santacreu and is currently defining its strategic priorities in close consultation with the Mediterranean private sector, represented by its network of Chambers of Commerce. On the other hand, the UfM is undergoing a strategic transformation with a renewed mandate focused on resilience, regional stability, economic connectivity, and environmental sustainability, accompanied by a new programme of action and an internal restructuring.
In this context, enhanced collaboration between both organizations is considered essential to ensure effective coordination on the ground and to identify new opportunities for the Mediterranean business community.
During the meeting, the parties agreed to advance cooperation along three complementary lines of action. First, to strengthen the exchange of information regarding the various forums and initiatives related to economic development taking place across the region. Second, to reactivate the joint development of sectoral reports on key areas of economic interest, following previous successful collaborations, including studies on tourism carried out together with the Málaga Chamber of Commerce, which chairs ASCAME’s Tourism Commission. Third, to explore new joint initiatives and projects through which ASCAME could facilitate stronger connections between the UfM and representatives of the Mediterranean private sector.
The meeting brought together representatives from both institutions. The ASCAME delegation included Mr. Koussay Boulaich, Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the President; Ms. Miriam González, ASCAME’s General Coordinator; Ms. Andrea Mullerat, Corporate Development & Marketing Manager; and Mr. Luis Miranda, Project Manager. The Union for the Mediterranean was represented by Mr. Mohammed Elrazzaz, Head of Sector for Economic Development, and Ms. Miriam Gonzalo.
Both parties agreed to work towards updating and reactivating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the coming months, with the aim of further strengthening institutional cooperation and fostering new initiatives to support Euro-Mediterranean economic development.