EMUNI University welcomed a high-level delegation comprising Ambassador Fadi Hajali, Secretary General Ad Interim of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Petra Kežman, UfM Deputy Secretary General for Human Development, and Uroš Vajgl, Minister Plenipotentiary, Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs.
The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Rado Bohinc, President of EMUNI University, together with Prof. Dr. Roberto Biloslavo, Vice-President of EMUNI University; MSc. Lina Kaldana, Secretary General; Asst. Prof. DDr. Maja Pucelj, Head of Research, Development and Innovation; Asst. Prof. Dr. Luka Juri, Researcher responsible for the Department of Political and Social Sciences; and Prof. Dr. Jaka Vadnjal, Head of the International Relations Department.
Established in 2008 as one of the flagship initiatives of the Union for the Mediterranean, EMUNI has developed as a unique Euro-Mediterranean academic platform dedicated to strengthening higher education, research, dialogue and cooperation across the region. The meeting provided an opportunity to present EMUNI’s development over recent years, its expanding network, educational programmes and research activities, as well as its broader mission of strengthening knowledge, intercultural understanding and cooperation across the Mediterranean.
A central part of the discussion focused on EMUNI’s role within the framework of the New Pact for the Mediterranean and the opportunities it creates for strengthening academic, institutional and policy cooperation across the region. The discussion highlighted EMUNI’s potential to serve as a platform connecting academic, institutional and policy actors and contributing to the objectives of the New Pact through education, research and dialogue. EMUNI’s role was also considered in the broader context of flagship initiatives supporting Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
The discussions further focused on strengthening strategic cooperation between EMUNI and the Union for the Mediterranean, enhancing the University’s visibility and contribution at the regional and ministerial levels, and exploring ways in which the UfM can further support EMUNI’s activities.
Among the possibilities discussed was the co-organisation of a joint academic and diplomatic event, bringing together representatives of academia, relevant ministries, policymakers and other key actors. The initiative would provide an opportunity to strengthen dialogue between the academic and policy communities while increasing EMUNI’s visibility and engagement at the ministerial level.
The UfM representatives reaffirmed their support for EMUNI and its mission and encouraged the continuation and strengthening of strategic cooperation between EMUNI, the UfM and relevant national institutions. The discussion also recognised the importance of an enabling and supportive Slovenian institutional environment for EMUNI to continue fulfilling its Euro-Mediterranean mission.
The visit marked an important step towards deepening strategic cooperation between EMUNI and the Union for the Mediterranean and further positioning EMUNI as an academic platform connecting institutions, policymakers, researchers, students and knowledge across the Euro-Mediterranean region, particularly within the framework of the New Pact for the Mediterranean.
