Gerne machen wir auf die Veranstaltung „The EU’s Southern Neighborhood Policy – Partners at Eye Level in Difficult Times? “ unserer Mitgliedsorganisation FES am 27. November 2023 aufmerksam. Anbei finden Sie die Einladung im Wortlaut:

„Discussion guests:

• H.E. Ricardo Martinez, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Germany
• Representative of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (tbc)
• Haizam Amirah Fernández, Senior Analyst, Elcano Royal Institute, Madrid
• Noha El-Mikawi, Dean of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP), The American University in Cairo

Moderation: Covadonga Morales, Programmes Coordinator, FES Madrid

Monday, 27.11.2023, 19.30 – 21.00,
Spanish Embassy in Berlin, Lichtensteinallee 1, 10787 Berlin

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

in times of serious geopolitical crises on its borders or nearby, the EU has the challenge of finding the right policies towards its neighbours. Although public perception is currently focused mainly on the Eastern European region, the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent bombardment of the Gaza Strip, shows the EU that its southern partnership policy must not be forgotten and must be cultivated in a targeted manner in the face of diverse challenges. The numerous thematic fields of relations between the southern Mediterranean states and the EU, such as human development, energy cooperation, migration, peace and security, or cultural exchange, require intensive attention from both sides. In this context, the links, and relations between the EU and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean States require particular political attention.
After the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership launched in Barcelona in 1995, the European Neighbourhood Policy of 2004, and the establishment of the Union for the Mediterranean in 2008, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrel, proposed the New Agenda for the Mediterranean in 2021. This initiative has ambitious goals for cooperation between the two regions. The current Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union is paying particular attention to the EU’s relations with its Southern neighbours and has already provided important impetus to their development.
The Embassy of Spain in Germany and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung are taking this as an opportunity to discuss the state of relations between the EU and the southern partner countries. What are the greatest challenges? Are the paths of cooperation taut enough or are the ties dissolving in the face of multiple crises and conflicts, making institutionalised contact difficult? Should the EU proactively engage in conflict resolution and mediation policies in the region? Who is the EU talking to, and who are the southern partner countries talking to in the EU? Can both sides build on a positive future and if so, how?

The discussion will be held in English. We will serve a snack afterwards.

Please register for the discussion by 23.11.2023 at FES-EUN@fes.de.

We look forward to your participation.“