Italian Foreign Minister Tajani: Interreg NEXT MED key for Mediterranean cooperation

“I am absolutely convinced of the importance of initiatives such as Interreg NEXT MED – a programme created for the territories, with the territories, which puts the Mediterranean at the center of the European Union’s action,” said Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Publication Date
20/03/2024
Reading Time
3 minutes
Minister Antonio Tajani (picture © MAECI)

“I am absolutely convinced of the importance of initiatives such as Interreg NEXT MED – a programme created for the territories, with the territories, which puts the Mediterranean at the center of the European Union’s action and Sardinia, which is the Managing Authority, in the center of the Mediterranean with a 360-degree projection. The success of this cooperation programme depends first of all on the energy that the Managing Authority will continue to invest, as it has done in previous editions of the programme. The role of the Regions – emphasizes Tajani – is fundamental. Your success will be Italy’s success, the best prerequisite for obtaining the confirmation of the programme also in the next financial cycle and subsequently the confirmation of the Managing Authority in Cagliari,” declared H.E. Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, at the Italian national event for the Interreg NEXT MED 2021-2027 Programme.

 

Minister Antonio Tajani (picture © MAECI)

 

The event, held on March 12th, 2024, at the Farnesina Palace in Rome (premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), introduced the first call for proposals, worth 103 million euros, to foster a smarter, greener, more inclusive, and better-governed Mediterranean region by bringing together 15 countries in collaboration.

Highlighting the significance of inclusivity and dialogue, Minister Tajani underscored the strategic value of the programme for enhancing cooperation across the Mediterranean area. “The broad participation across the Southern shore, including Israel and Palestine even in such a difficult moment, demonstrates the potential of the programme, which unites Mediterranean actors beyond historical and religious divisions and political contingencies. The participation of strategic partners such as Algeria and Türkiye in this programme for 2021-2027 is a reason for particular satisfaction.”

The event saw the participation of nearly 200 attendees from the Italian regions eligible for the programme, facilitating an important discussion on Italy’s role within the Mediterranean—a geographical area where the programme has been active since 2007, previously known as ENPI CBC MED and ENI CBC MED.

 

DG REGIO D1 Director Slawomir Tokarski

Recalling the truly unique history and culture of the Mediterranean, Mr. Slawomir Tokarski – Director of European Territorial Cooperation, Macro-regions, Interreg and Programmes Implementation at European Commission’s DG REGIO – also mentioned (through a recorded video-message) the numerous and complex challenges that the region is facing and the need for cooperation: “NEXT MED is the largest Interreg programme on the EU’s external borders both in terms of funding and geographical coverage. When agreeing on the priorities, the 15 participating countries very wisely decided to focus on the most pressing needs and problems of the Mediterranean, in particular those that are best tackled jointly rather than by each country on its own. This is very much in line with the Commission’s vision.”

In his concluding remarks, H.E. Tajani expressed a firm belief in the power of Mediterranean cooperation: “I strongly believe in this Mediterranean collaboration. I believe that today could be a fruitful meeting for the use of this programme for the economic growth of the countries. We certainly have a European dimension, but the Mediterranean dimension is equally important and should not be underestimated.”

With its focus on regional cooperation and development, the Interreg NEXT MED Programme stands as a beacon of hope for the future, promising a more unified and prosperous Mediterranean region.

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