EMUNI Contributes to Consultation on the New Pact for the Mediterranean: Strengthening Higher Education, Research, and Regional Cooperation
The Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) has actively participated in the consultation on the New Pact for the Mediterranean, providing key recommendations on how to enhance higher education, research collaboration, student mobility, and regional cooperation as fundamental pillars for stability and prosperity in the Euro-Mediterranean region. EMUNI’s response underscores the strategic role of education and knowledge exchange in fostering long-term development while ensuring that EU engagement with the Southern Mediterranean remains mutually beneficial, impactful, and values-driven.
A Call for Stronger Higher Education and Research Cooperation
EMUNI has emphasized the urgent need to strengthen higher education cooperation between European and Mediterranean universities, advocating for the creation of Euro-Mediterranean University Alliances, modelled after the European University Alliances Initiative. This initiative would foster deeper institutional cooperation, allowing for joint degree programs, faculty exchanges, and collaborative research, ultimately leading to stronger academic and professional ties between both shores of the Mediterranean.
Additionally, student mobility remains a key priority, with EMUNI calling for the expansion of Erasmus+ and other mobility mechanisms that provide Mediterranean students and researchers with greater access to European education and research institutions. This, in turn, would allow for brain circulation rather than brain drain, ensuring that talent and skills benefit both the Southern Mediterranean and Europe alike. To further strengthen research collaboration, EMUNI has proposed simplifying the participation of Southern Mediterranean countries in the Horizon Europe programme, which would enable more efficient cooperation among researchers across the region and allow Mediterranean universities to take part in cutting-edge scientific and technological advancements.
The EU’s Role in Ensuring Stability and a Secure Future for the Mediterranean
Beyond education and research, EMUNI has reaffirmed the importance of regional stability as a strategic EU priority, particularly in light of shifting global dynamics and geopolitical uncertainties. The Mediterranean region is increasingly shaped by external influences, including competition from China, Russia, the Gulf countries, Turkey, and the USA, making it essential for the EU to reinforce its partnerships in the region in a way that safeguards both security and stability. EMUNI highlights that this should not be done through a generic regional approach, but rather by engaging with each Mediterranean country individually, taking into account their specific political, economic, and social realities. A one-size-fits-all strategy would fail to address national priorities, whereas tailored, country-specific partnerships could yield meaningful, long-term results.
As part of its vision for a stronger Euro-Mediterranean partnership, EMUNI also stresses the need for clear rules of engagement in EU cooperation, ensuring that agreements with Southern Mediterranean countries are based on trade-offs, commitments, and guarantees rather than an open-ended financial assistance model. This would help establish a level playing field where partnerships are built on mutual benefit and accountability, rather than a one-way flow of financial aid.
Fostering Talent, Skills, and Economic Growth
A key takeaway from EMUNI’s response is the crucial role of investing in talent development and skills upgrading as a core component of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. By expanding higher education and vocational training initiatives, the EU and Mediterranean countries can create better economic opportunities, reduce youth unemployment, and offer alternatives to irregular migration. This approach would also strengthen intercultural ties, boost professional networks, and create a foundation for long-term social and economic stability in the region.
EMUNI firmly believes that education, research, and knowledge-sharing are the foundation for lasting cooperation, peace, and stability in the Mediterranean. The EU’s engagement with its Southern Neighbourhood should focus on building meaningful, sustainable, and strategic partnerships that go beyond short-term political or economic gains. By prioritizing higher education, research collaboration, and connectivity that integrates cybersecurity, the EU can help create a more stable, prosperous, and interconnected Euro-Mediterranean region.
Looking Ahead: EMUNI’s Commitment to Strengthening Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation
As an institution dedicated to bridging the gap between Europe and the Mediterranean through education and research, EMUNI will continue to actively engage in shaping policy discussions, fostering academic collaboration, and advocating for a stronger Euro-Mediterranean partnership. Through its participation in consultations such as the New Pact for the Mediterranean, EMUNI reaffirms its commitment to helping build a Mediterranean region that is innovative, secure, and resilient—where knowledge and cooperation serve as the foundation for a shared and prosperous future.
