UfM Secretary General reflects on the 30th Anniversary of the Barcelona Process

The Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Nasser Kamel gave a keynote address at the conference entitled “30 years of the Barcelona Process: Towards a New Euro-Mediterranean Policy,” held on 27 January and hosted by the President of the Parliament of Catalonia. The event, co-organized by the Catalan European Movement and the European Institute of the Mediterranean, brought together Members of the European Parliament, as well as experts and speakers from various institutions.

In his speech, the UfM Secretary General Kamel recalled that the Barcelona Process was a bold and visionary initiative to transform the Mediterranean region into a space of dialogue, peace, and prosperity. However, he added, the 30th anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements, as well as the shortcomings.

In this context, he said that while there was progress in some areas of cooperation, the economic integration between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean remains insufficient.

Additionally, he stated that the economic divide is widening, with the EU’s southern neighbours facing stark economic challenges, from high unemployment to uneven development and vulnerability to external shocks.

Furthermore, he referred to the climate emergency, which is posing grave challenges for the Mediterranean, where rising temperatures and environmental pressures demand urgent regional action.

On the geopolitical landscape, SG Kamel stressed that the prolonged Israeli Palestinian conflict is the epicenter of tensions for the whole region and beyond. “We must revive the hope brought about by the Barcelona Process of shared peace through a unified approach to the Israeli Palestinian conflict, based on the two-State solution.”

The UfM Secretary General shared his assessment for the need to exert all possible efforts to empower regional and multilateral frameworks to address common challenges.

He underlined the importance of cooperation on equal footing between Europe and its eastern and southern neighbours for the achievement of shared stability and prosperity, and the need to revitalize regional cooperation in light of the new EU Pact for the Mediterranean.

“The Mediterranean is not a dividing line but a shared space, a bridge between cultures, and a source of immense opportunity. As we look ahead, the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process is an opportunity to reaffirm our shared vision for the Mediterranean.”

SG Kamel concluded by confirming the UfM readiness to contribute to the reinvigoration of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. “Together, we can build a region that thrives on its diversity, draws strength from its shared challenges, and unlocks its full potential.”