A new Directorate General to strengthen Mediterranean and Gulf partnerships
One sea, three continents: the European Commission has set up a new Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA) that will be headed by Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Šuica.
It will be fully devoted to the Mediterranean region, i.e. North Africa, Middle East and the Gulf countries. The new DG will build strong partnerships with North Africa, Middle East and the Gulf countries to ensure prosperity, security and resilience based on mutual interests. The DG will focus on partnerships that look at investment, economic stability, jobs, energy, transport, security, migration and other areas of mutual interest.
For the Commissioner for Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica “The creation of the new Directorate-General MENA marks a pivotal moment, which brings renewed relevance and innovation to the EU policy towards the Mediterranean and the Gulf. This new Commission’s department will be fully dedicated to address the unique opportunities and challenges of the region - bringing together the different shores of our Mare Nostrum and beyond.”
The mission letter of Commissioner Šuica indicate as first initiative of the policy the adoption of the New Pact for the Mediterranean, which will build on comprehensive partnerships focused on investment, economic stability, jobs, energy, transport, security, migration and other areas of mutual interest, through an integrated approach bringing together elements of economic, humanitarian, development, peace and security policies, based on EU values and principles.