President Maupertuis meets Commissioner Šuica to discuss the Pact for the Mediterranean

EA Group President Nanette Maupertuis met today with European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica at the Berlaymont to discuss the Pact for the Mediterranean and ways to strengthen the local focus in the Mediterranean Pact governance.

During the meeting, President Maupertuis stressed the importance of ensuring that the CoR and ARLEM, representing local and regional authorities from both shores, is fully involved in the design and implementation of the Pact. She welcomed the recognition given to ARLEM by the pact and highlighted the need to translate this into concrete participation in the governance and actions.

The discussion also focused on the need to overcome the fragmentation of existing initiatives and to strengthen cooperation between the European, national, regional and local levels across the Mediterranean. President Maupertuis highlighted the contribution that local and regional authorities can make through their experience on the ground and their existing networks of cooperation.

Commissioner Šuica welcomed the points raised and underlined the importance of connecting European policies more closely with the local and regional level. Drawing on her own experience in local government and on the Conference on the Future of Europe, she highlighted the value of interconnections in order to build a strong Europe. The exchange also addressed some of the major challenges facing the Mediterranean region, including food security and climate-related risks.

President Maupertuis and Commissioner Šuica agreed on the importance of continuing the dialogue between the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions, with a view to ensuring a fruitful cooperation and a successful implementation of the Pact.