European Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica, in a video message to the Trento Festival of Economics on 22 May 2026, presented the Pact for the Mediterranean as a key vehicle for creating opportunities for young people, linking education, entrepreneurship, and clean energy investments across the region.
Šuica framed the Pact as a response to shared challenges with Mediterranean partners, stressing joint responsibility. She highlighted three specific initiatives under the Pact: the Mediterranean University, which strengthens university cooperation through micro-credentials, mobility, and joint programmes; StartUp4Med, which supports youth and women in starting businesses; and T-MED, an investment initiative in renewable energy including solar and liquid hydrogen. The Commissioner argued that deepening economic ties with North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf—a combined market of over 600 million people—would create prosperity for Europe and Italy in particular.
Šuica also emphasised youth participation in policymaking, citing Youth Policy Dialogues and the Youth Parliamentary Assembly for the Mediterranean as mechanisms to ensure young voices shape Mediterranean policy. The speech did not announce new funding or legislative proposals but reaffirmed existing commitments under the Pact for the Mediterranean, which was launched earlier by the European Commission.
The speech was largely declarative, offering no new concrete proposals, numerical targets, or deadlines. It focused on framing the Pact as a tool for youth empowerment and economic resilience, without addressing potential costs, implementation challenges, or trade-offs. The tone was supportive and aspirational, aligning with the festival's theme of youth hopes.
The speech signals continued EU prioritisation of Mediterranean cooperation, which could benefit universities and startups in the region through increased networking and funding opportunities. Young people and women may gain access to new education and entrepreneurship programmes. However, the lack of detail on budget or timelines means the actual impact remains uncertain. EU taxpayers and businesses may see indirect benefits from deeper economic integration, but no immediate costs or regulatory changes were announced.