Several European Union members are pushing to remove trade barriers with ten countries in North Africa and the Middle East through a forthcoming strategic agreement, known as the Pact for the Mediterranean. The aim is to bring the countries "in line with the rules of the EU single market," Euronews reports, citing a European Commission document seen by the outlet.
The proposal is part of a summary prepared by the European Commission in April this year, based on contributions from member states and partner countries. The initiative comes at a time when Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, since the start of her second mandate, has stressed the need to diversify trade and reduce dependence on Russia and China.
What does the Pact for the Mediterranean bring?
The Pact for the Mediterranean, which the European Commission is expected to present in mid-October, aims to establish a network of new and existing bilateral agreements with Mediterranean countries in key sectors. The agreement covers: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Syria.
"The consultations will also seek to include the perspectives of neighbors, particularly the Persian Gulf countries and Turkey, recognizing their significant strategic interests, contributions, and influence within the region," the document says, according to Index.
With this initiative, official Brussels wants to strengthen integration in the Mediterranean region, especially in light of trade instability with traditional allies such as the United States.
"Many EU member states propose modernizing existing agreements and removing trade barriers, with calls for alignment with Single Market rules and supporting convergence in sectors such as digital, energy, labor and environmental standards," the document says.
This is not the first attempt by Brussels to encourage deeper trade integration with the Mediterranean. Back in 1995, in the so-called "Barcelona Declaration", the partners agreed to create a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area (EMFTA), but the project never came to fruition.
A step beyond existing agreements
The EU already has a preferential trade agreement with Mediterranean countries through the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM), which harmonises rules of origin for goods. However, the Pact for the Mediterranean document makes it clear that EU members want to go further.
"Some EU members emphasize the importance of inclusive trade, lower tariffs and practical market access through tools such as the Global Gateway and the PEM Convention. Some advocate modernizing the PEM Convention to reflect current EU trade agreements and identify trade as the area with the greatest potential for joint and coordinated action," the document states.
Interest of partner countries
According to the document, Mediterranean partners also show interest in stronger cooperation, seeking "regulatory harmonisation, market access and support for local producers". "Support was expressed for regulatory harmonisation to attract investment and build common value chains in the digital, transport and clean energy sectors," it said, citing contributions from Mediterranean countries.
The partners also propose cross-border agro-industrial value chains, modernization of customs systems, and simplification of trade procedures: "Emphasis is also placed on simplifying trade procedures, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and green enterprises, and mitigating non-tariff barriers through structured dialogues."
Among the priorities are alignment with EU digital governance, such as laws and regulations inspired by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and convergence in clean energy and environmental protection standards.
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