Algeria 
Egypt 
Israel 
Jordan 
Lebanon 
Libya 
Morocco 
Palestine * 
Syria 
Tunisia New Pact for the Mediterranean. The Future of Euro-Mediterranean Relations on the 30th Anniversary of the Barcelona Process
Anniversaries often prompt reflection on both successes and shortcomings, as well as on the path ahead. The 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration is no exception for EU-southern Mediterranean cooperation. It offers a timely moment to take stock – and the overall assessment remains mixed, with many challenges still unresolved. Since the launch of the Barcelona Declaration in 1995, the European Union has aimed to build closer ties with its Southern Neighbourhood based on shared peace, economic development and cultural exchange. While the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership set out an ambitious vision, its outcomes have been uneven. For example, the untapped potential in trade between the EU and southern Mediterranean countries is significant, with unrealized trade estimated at around USD 108.6 billion – meaning that only about half of the possible export levels projected for 2029 have been achieved so far. Successive policy updates, including the 2015 review of the European Neighbourhood Policy, have tried to respond to persistent instability, governance challenges, economic disparities and environmental pressures in the region. Security issues and changing migration patterns have added further complexity. Acknowledging these difficulties, the EU released a Joint Communication in 2021 outlining a New Agenda for the Mediterranean that prioritized investment and financial tools and targeted projects to inject new momentum into the partnership.
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