Press Release 10 November, 2023.
The Republic of Slovenia Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation and Science, and the Republic of Slovenia Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs issued a statement on 27 October 2023, addressed to the Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) President and its Management Board Members, declaring its official position towards EMUNI for the period 2024-2029.
The Ministries have officially renewed their commitment to EMUNI by pledging additional political and financial support for the further development of the institution given its importance and influence within the Mediterranean and MENA regions.
The government´s position, adopted recently, was reaffirmed at the official visit by Her Excellency Ms. Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, His Excellency Prof. Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and the Deputy Secretary General of the Union of the Mediterranean (UfM), Álvaro Albacete to EMUNI on 7 November. The meeting, held with the President of EMUNI, Prof. Dr. Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry and esteemed Management Board Member and Deputy Chairperson, Ambassador Hatem Atallah, featured productive discussions and was attended by delegations from all sides.
The Southern Mediterranean in particular faces several challenges that have potential ramifications for the rest of Europe in terms of stability and security: from disasters driven by climate change, as witnessed recently in the Moroccan earthquake and Libyan floods, to conflict in the Middle East, including the present situation in Gaza, as well as the Russian aggression in Ukraine. In this respect, the Republic of Slovenia, which finds itself at the intersection of several geopolitical regions within Europe, has the potential to play an important role in the Mediterranean. At the same time, EMUNI remains as committed as ever to its core mission, which is to foster a network of Euro-Mediterranean higher education institutions and provide an inclusive platform for knowledge exchange, cooperation, and trust building.
“Slovenia acknowledges a very positive impact of EMUNI on the Euro-Mediterranean and Slovenia´s academic and foreign policy spheres. With increased support, we are convinced that EMUNI could further strengthen its role and capacity as a network for academic participation in regional exchanges and fostering collaborative interactions among higher education institutions, with wide policy-making effects” as was clearly stated in the joint ministerial letter to EMUNI, dated 27 October, 2023.
Notes to editors:
The Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) was established in Slovenia in June 2008, at an event attended by the President of the European Commission and numerous ministers and dignitaries from Slovenia and around the world. EMUNI is one of the priority areas of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). Its mission is to act as a powerful force to bridge the shores of the Mediterranean by establishing and fostering a Euro-Mediterranean higher education and research area. Inclusive growth and development are increasingly contingent upon the advancement of knowledge and innovation. EMUNI is a resilient network of over 140 collaborating higher education institutions from across the Mediterranean and is also a platform for inter-cultural dialogue and science diplomacy.
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