Spain, Italy, Portugal and Mediterranean Dialogue
The Madrid office seeks to strengthen cooperation and political dialogue between representatives from political parties, scientific institutions and civil society organisations from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany and the European sphere. We are committed to help contribute to solutions to specific regional challenges in Southern Europe and highlight best practices from this ever more important region for the European integration process. It also seeks to develop a new approach to interregional cooperation in the Mediterranean. With partner organisations, we are developing a liberal approach to geostrategic demands and opportunities in the Mare Nostrum.
News
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The complicated decarbonisation of the Mediterranean
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28 (Conference of the Parties) held in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) at the end of 2023, closed with an agreement described as historic for fulfilling the mandate of the Paris Agreement. The text, for the first time, opened the door to the end of fossil fuels and set the path for decarbonisation of the world's economies. A challenge with a deadline: 2050. And with much to be done in the Mediterranean, where coal, oil and natural gas are still the main sustenance and fuel of the countries in the north and south of this region.
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The 5+5 Initiative, a bridge between the two shores of the Mediterranean
The Western Mediterranean Forum, known as the 5+5 Initiative, is an informal multidisciplinary group that includes Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia. The 5+5 Initiative seeks to strengthen mutual knowledge and strengthen links and interoperability between the two sides of the Mediterranean.
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How Security Challenges Shaped the European Union‘s Common Foreign Policy
The 2022 invasion of Ukraine jolted Europe from its peaceful post-World War II era, leading to a unified EU response aiding Kyiv. This underscores the importance of consensus in foreign policy for cohesive security measures. Analyzing pivotal events like 9/11, 2015 terror attacks, and the Ukraine invasion reveals EU's evolving foreign relations stance. While 9/11 initially caught EU off-guard, 2015 showcased unity post-attacks in France and Belgium. The Ukrainian conflict marked a return to Cold War divisions but also signaled a shift to a tougher EU stance against Russia. Exploring potential common policy areas, Africa and disinformation emerge as crucial arenas requiring coordinated EU action, leveraging partnerships and historical ties to counter rival influences.
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Youth in the Mediterranean at the heart of the debate in the European Parliament
Last week, FNF Madrid and ESADE EcPol, in cooperation with Renew Europe, presented in the European Parliament the report: “The Youth of the Mediterranean and the Challenges of a permanent crisis: Income, independence, housing, and future challenges”. The cross-regional survey generates primary research and extensive first-hand data on the situation of different young people in Jordan, Lebanon, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia.
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The Transformative Role of Women in Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean
In the dynamic Mediterranean region, over time the role of women in sustainable development has become increasingly decisive and transformative. From the consolidation of innovative startups to the management of large corporations, women have proven to be, not without difficulty, a fundamental pillar in the promotion of a development oriented towards the achievement of a balance that defends in equal parts economic evolution, care for the social or our society, and environmental preservation.
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The Mediterranean between uncertainty and hope
We are entering a period of uncertainty that will have economic, political, and social consequences, but also great challenges. The Mediterranean has been an active and vibrant trading area for millennia. Its location in the world is strategic and it must have the ambition to become a key player on the international stage.
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Liberals at the Helm
In a landmark development, under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), the European Parliament and Council have reached a historic agreement on the Pact on Migration and Asylum, setting the stage for a comprehensive overhaul of the EU's approach to migration, at the end of last year. As the EU charts its course toward the 2024 European elections, the ramifications of this pact reverberate through the political landscape, particularly for liberal policymakers.