EESC President

In a decisive address at the 9th Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Forum in Barcelona, EESC President Oliver Röpke highlighted the urgent need for peace in the Middle East and called for a fortified commitment to civil society involvement to promote stability in the Mediterranean region. This year’s forum came at a particularly crucial moment, offering leaders a stage to discuss the intensifying humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean.

President Röpke's intervention focused on the current situation in Middle East, asking for an immediate cessation of hostilities. "As the voice of European civil society, we express our solidarity with all communities affected by the violence and reiterate our unwavering commitment to human dignity, peace, and human rights", he stated, underlining the importance to adhere to humanitarian law and to ensure the protection of civilians.

The EESC President underlined that a sustainable solution to the current crisis implies inclusive dialogue and the involvement of all stakeholders, in particular civil society. He reiterated the unwavering commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace and the implementation of the two-state solution. 

The President also reiterated the EESC's dedication to promoting sustainable development, inclusive growth, and social cohesion in the Mediterranean region.

In the margins of the conference, President Röpke met with key decision makers, including the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Nasser Kamel, the Director General of DG NEAR Gert Jan Koopman, the President of the European Investment Bank Nadia Calviño, the President of the Anna Lindh Foundation Rym Ali, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović, and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Megi Fino .