The former Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Commissioner, Dimitris Avramopoulosparticipated today in an important international forum held in Naples of Italy.
The forum, entitled “Thinking of the future: from Italy to the Mediterranean“, organized by the Italian newspaper The Morningin collaboration with the Med-Or foundation and the local Federico II University. The work of the forum was welcomed by the Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloniwhile academics, executives of European companies and political figures from Europe and the Middle East participated.
In his intervention, Mr. Avramopoulos referred to the value of the Greek Prime Minister’s initiative, Kyriakou Mitsotakisfor the organization of a conference of its countries Eastern Mediterranean.
The former Commissioner emphasized that “the Mediterranean must rediscover its mission, as bridge and not as a border». He emphasized the need for geography to be a resource cooperation and not confrontation.
Describing the steps to achieve this goal, Dimitris Avramopoulos proposed the establishment of a rule-based security systemits promotion energy interdependence and its reinforcement connectivity between African and European value chains.
He made special reference to migratorystressing that it should be treated “as partnership policy and not as a crisis”. This, as he said, requires legal roadshumanitarian protection and investment in development.
In closing, Mr. Avramopoulos noted that a “Mediterranean Resilience Agenda”, focused on climatethe water and the blue economyis the one that can reunite the region as a node of stability and common welfare.