During a working meeting with the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, Albares insisted that 2025 is a key year for the Mediterranean, and peace in the Middle East must be a priority of European policy.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Albares reaffirmed Spain’s willingness to contribute to strengthening the EU’s Mediterranean policy.

In this regard, he conveyed Spain’s willingness to collaborate with the Commission so that the new Pact for the Mediterranean allows the full potential of the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Neighborhood to be taken advantage of.

In this regard, he spoke in favor of improving training and employment; connectivity, trade and investments; clean energy and security, as well as a decisive commitment and greater EU resources to strengthen regional institutions, in particular the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).

The diplomat also held a meeting with the Secretary General of the UfM, Nasser Kamel, to analyse the challenges facing the Mediterranean and the opportunities that arise in 2025.

In addition to commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process (which gave rise to the UfM) this year, Spain will continue to support the renewed impetus that the EU is giving to its policy in the area, with the preparation and subsequent adoption of the Pact for the Mediterranean.

The minister also said that the UfM is called upon to complete the reform process initiated two years ago, driven by Spain and France.

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