This Tuesday, 17 September, a strategic meeting took place in Brussels between representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the Directorate-General for the Mediterranean of the European External Action Service (DG MENA), and the Association of Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME). The meeting focused on strengthening the role of civil society and the private sector in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
The session was opened by Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the EESC’s External Relations Section, who highlighted the importance of socio-economic dialogue in building stronger ties between the EU and the MENA region.
María Helena de Felipe, Vice-President of the EESC’s External Relations Section, introduced the topics of the meeting, emphasizing the need to reinforce the role of civil society and intermediary bodies in the region’s sustainable development.
Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European External Action Service, contributed to the strategic vision underpinning the EU’s renewed engagement with the Mediterranean.
During the meeting, DG MENA presented the New Pact for the Mediterranean, outlining its strategic objectives and proposing ways to align ASCAME’s initiatives with the EU’s social, economic and environmental priorities.
Representing ASCAME, President Ahmed M. El Wakil and Vice-President Josep Santacreu, also President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, stressed the crucial role of the private sector, young entrepreneurs, SMEs, and women-led businesses in shaping a regional plan from a business-driven perspective.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to enhancing public-private collaboration across the Mediterranean and brought forward concrete proposals to ensure the private sector’s voice is fully integrated into EU–MENA cooperation frameworks.
María Helena de Felipe Lehtonen
Promoting the Internalization and finance in Small and Medium Companies & in business opportunities for Euro-Africa and Middle East Companies