Ursula von der Leyen takes up Maltese proposal for Mediterranean Commissioner

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (today) promised members of the European Parliament that she would appoint a Commissioner for the Mediterranean.

Dr von der Leyen made the commitment during a speech as a candidate seeking MEPs’ support by outlining her policy goals should she be reconfirmed in her role for another term.

She looked at the role through a security and migration frame, saying that the European Union needs to “develop comprehensive partnerships, in particular across our Southern neighbourhood” if it hopes to “manage migration in a more structured and fair way.”

“The Mediterranean region should get undivided attention,” she said. “This is why I will appoint a Commissioner for the region, and propose a new Agenda for the Mediterranean together with [former Estonian Prime Minister and new European foreign policy chief] Kaja Kallas.

“Because the future of the two Mediterranean shores is one and the same.”

The idea for a Commissioner for the Mediterranean was first floated by Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela in November 2023.

During a meeting in Croatia to prepare for the new EU strategic agenda to cover 2024 to 2029, Dr Abela drew attention to the particular challenges facing Mediterranean countries, as well as to the potential of the region.

He insisted that the region “should be given the importance it deserved.”

New Labour Party MEP Thomas Bajada welcomed Dr von der Leyen’s statement.

In a social media post, he said the “region deserves a holistic approach for cross-border cooperation, stability and investment.

“The Cradle of Civilization can become the Cradle of Peace and Prosperity.

“Let’s make a better Mediterranean.”