Slovenia’s MED9 Presidency: A Stronger Mediterranean for a Stronger Europe

The Presidency aims to strengthen MED9’s role in the EU and the Mediterranean region by focusing on resilience, competitiveness, and policy coordination.

Slovenia will enhance MED9’s influence in EU foreign policy, advocate for the enlargement to the Western Balkans, and involve Mediterranean candidate countries. Economic resilience will be supported through green transition initiatives, energy connectivity, and climate-related solutions. Youth empowerment will be encourage.

The presidency of the MED9 group was entrusted to Slovenia at the MED9 summit in Cyprus in October 2024. On this occasion the Prime Minister Robert Golob took the opportunity to underline:

"This recognized Slovenia's special role as a Mediterranean country and the confidence that Slovenia will make a significant contribution to strengthening the resilience of the Mediterranean and the European Union as a whole during this challenging period."

And through higher education, digitalization, and cultural cooperation. A key focus will also be on strengthening partnerships with the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood and supporting the initiatives of the Union for the Mediterranean.

Building Bridges in the Mediterranean: Slovenia’s Strategic Priorities for MED9

During Slovenia’s MED9 Presidency, several ministerial meetings will take place. In April, a conference on higher education mobility will be held in Kranj. In May, culture ministers will meet in Brussels. In June, Portorož will host discussions on energy, climate, and digitalization, followed by a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. In October, Portorož will hold meetings on agriculture and European affairs, with a focus on EU enlargement to the Western Balkans.

»Slovenia's enhanced engagement in the Mediterranean is also recognised by its role as the MED9 presiding country in 2025. Through dialogue and cooperation, we will work towards a common voice for MED9 and to bring together all the countries on the Mediterranean shore for the benefit of the whole region," emphasized Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon as Slovenia takes over the MED9 presidency for the first time.

MED9

The MED9 group, consisting of Cyprus, France, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, and Slovenia, was established in 2013 to enhance Mediterranean cooperation within the EU. Slovenia and Croatia joined in 2021, expanding the former MED7. Representing one-third of EU Member States and 45% of its population, MED9 plays a key role in aligning Mediterranean priorities with EU policies.

The group focuses on political dialogue, security, climate change, energy, food security, migration, water, youth, the green transition, and economic development.

Regular informal ministerial meetings precede EU Council sessions, ensuring coordinated positions, while thematic meetings deepen cooperation. The MED9 summit, held at the end of each Presidency, reinforces Mediterranean issues on the EU agenda.