Ashraf AboArafe writes
THE Core Shift… The European Parliament is officially stepping into a leadership role as it assumes the presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM). The transition is being formalized during a high-profile, two-day summit in Cairo, bringing together a dedicated delegation of 10 MEPs alongside representatives from 16 southern and eastern Mediterranean nations.
The Vision & Priorities
Led by European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, the incoming presidency is framing its tenure not merely as an administrative shift, but as a deliberate political awakening for the region.
The assembly’s agenda targets the defining friction points and opportunities of our modern era:
-
Geopolitics & Humanity: Prioritizing peace, stability, and crucial diplomatic dialogue in the Middle East.
-
The Future Horizon: Grappling with the cross-border integration of artificial intelligence.
-
Societal Anchors: Championing youth engagement and the empowerment of women across both coastlines.
Key Takeaway
“The Mediterranean is not a border. It is a shared space — and parliamentary diplomacy is how we build the trust needed to shape it together.”
— Pina Picierno, EP Vice-President
This transition signals a push to transform the PA-UfM from a passive discussion panel into a robust, credible, and highly impactful geopolitical forum. By rejecting the idea of the Mediterranean as a barrier, the new leadership aims to treat the sea as a connective tissue binding Europe and its neighbors in shared destiny and mutual stability.
