The President of EMEA, Prof. Rym Ayadi, Chair of the Banking Stakeholders Group (BSG) of the European Banking Authority (EBA) participated at the expert workshop “Building Connections: A 2024 Mediterranean Agenda for the Next European Commission”, which took place at Villa La Collina, Cadenabbia, Como, on 28 – 30 June 2023. The workshop was organised by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of the Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung (KAS PolDiMed).
At the workshop Prof. Ayadi highlighted:
“A renewed Euro-Mediterranean partnership acts as a powerful bridge, connecting continents and facilitating dialogue between civilizations. It is a testament to our shared values of peace, stability, and human rights, serving as a platform for fostering mutual understanding, resolving conflicts, and promoting inclusive development.
However, to truly harness the transformative power of this partnership, we must confront the multifaceted challenges that lie ahead. From climate change and illegal migration to social inequality and regional conflicts, the road ahead is not without obstacles. But it is precisely in the face of these challenges that the Euro-Mediterranean and African partnership must demonstrate its resilience and determination.
The future of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership hinges on our ability to prioritize cooperation over competition, dialogue over division, and progress over stagnation. It demands a renewed commitment to shared responsibility, where every stakeholder plays an active role in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future.
Let us rise above the barriers that divide us, and instead, unite in our pursuit of a Euro-Mediterranean and African partnership that serves as a bastion of stability, progress, and hope. Together, we can overcome the global challenges that lie before us and build a future that generations to come will look back upon with gratitude and admiration.”
During the past four years the consequences of the pandemic and of the Russian war in Ukraine have diverted the attention of the EU on areas other than the MENA region. The workshop, featuring the participation of 15 high-level selected experts from Europe and the MENA region, aimed at providing a critical and constructive assessment of both EU Mediterranean policies and geopolitical approach towards the MENA region.
