It is essential that the Mediterranean perspective is reflected in shaping EU policies and priorities in the coming years, the MED9 Ministers and Secretaries of States for EU Affairs said in a Summit in Nicosia, while also stating their commitment for a stable and prosperous Southern Neighbourhood and emphasising on the need for a comprehensive policy on migration. They also expressed their deep concern about the situation in the Middle East, calling for a ceasefire and for allowing room for diplomacy. In her statement, following the MED9 Meeting of Ministers and Secretaries of States for EU Affairs, Cyprus' Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna noted that the MED9 format has become 'a vital platform for ensuring that the Mediterranean agenda remains at the forefront at the EU level, and for addressing the multitude of common challenges we face as Mediterranean countries.' 'The Mediterranean is of crucial importance for the European Union', she said, adding that developments in the region ' directly and significantly' impact the entire EU. 'In this regard, the appointment of a Commissioner for the Mediterranean and the announcement of a new Pact for the Mediterranean have created a renewed impetus and also highlight the strategic importance of this region for the EU, also in the framework of its relations with our Southern Neighbourhood partners', she added. Raouna said that the Summit comes at a time 'of deeply alarming developments' in the Middle East, Cyprus's immediate neighbourhood, and the EU's neighbourhood. She said that during their first session they discussed the latest regional developments, particularly in light of the deteriorating situation in neighbouring Lebanon, 'the tragic and constantly worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as Iran's attacks against Israel that we condemn in the strongest terms, and which constitute a serious threat to regional stability'. 'We reiterated the importance of a ceasefire across the Blue Line and the full implementation of the Unit ed Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, the strengthening of UNIFIL, and establishing the conditions for both Israelis and Lebanese to return in safety to their homes. The sovereignty of both Israel and Lebanon has to be guaranteed. To this end, the efforts of France and the US must be actively supported', Raouna said. Additionally, she noted, they discussed the need for the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2735 on Gaza by reaching a ceasefire agreement that secures the release of all hostages while securing the unimpeded humanitarian aid. 'We are gravely concerned about the risk of further escalation of the conflict across the region, and its spillovers, including implications on maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and we urge, once more, for utmost restraint' she said. 'Now is the time for diplomacy', she said, noting that, only the reemergence of a meaningful political horizon can provide a viable way out of the crisis. 'We reaffirmed our commitment to th e Middle East Peace Process for a lasting and sustainable peace in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. This is the way forward, also, towards a lasting stability to the region as a whole', she added. Raouna also noted that Cyprus has stood 'as the EU's enabling anchor in the region' and was 'part of the solution to the region's challenges.' Following the 7th of October terrorist attack against innocent civilians, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, she added, Cyprus delivered the Amalthea maritime corridor to the international community, as a supplementary route for the delivery of assistance to the innocent civilians of Gaza. 'We have worked closely with regional, EU partners and institutions to operationalise the corridor, in what we consider to be our moral responsibility to the region', she said. The Deputy Minister also noted that, during next week's Summit the MED9 leaders would focus on regional developments and the King of Jordan 'will be attending the summit both to discuss the situation in the Middle East, as well as EU-Jordan relations'. Raouna also said that in their second working session, they focused on the MED9 priorities for the new EU institutional cycle. 'It is essential that the Mediterranean perspective is reflected in shaping EU policies and priorities in the coming years', she said, noting that the EU was entering this cycle in a volatile and highly challenging global geopolitical context. 'These challenges, alongside issues such as migration, long-term competitiveness, demographic challenges, and sustainable prosperity, directly affect the Mediterranean', Raouna stated. She also said that they 'underlined' their commitment for a stable, integrated, interconnected and prosperous Southern Neighbourhood. 'Strategic engagement with our southern partners is of utmost importance in this regard', she said. 'On migration we emphasised the need for comprehensive policy and a holistic, balanced approach that also addresses the external dimension and root cause s of migration', she added. Raouna also noted that they identified the energy sector and climate change 'as one of our most crucial challenges in the region', adding that the Mediterranean was one of the most vulnerable regions to the impact of climate change. 'In this regard we reaffirmed the need for a regional alliance to tackle its consequences', she said, noting that Cyprus is relaunching the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative that includes the implementation of a Regional Action Plan and the establishment of a Regional Scientific Alliance. The Ministers also sat a working lunch during which, according to Raouna, they would focus on how to better structure the MED9 to increase its potential. In their remarks, all the Ministers and Secretaries of States for EU Affairs referred to the situation in the Middle East. They expressed their concern and opposition to any action that might to lead to destabilization or regional conflagration, condemned Iran's attacks against Israel, called for immediate ceasefire and on all parties to engage in international remediation efforts, address the humanitarian crisis and avoid further destabilisation. Some also said they were against Israel's decision to designate UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres as 'persona non-grata'. In his own remarks, France's Minister delegate for Europe, Benjamin Haddad, said that the Mediterranean countries face considerable common challenges and opportunities and that his country was committed to the MED9 format, which, he noted, allows its members to shape common messages and continue to push for their perspectives on key issues on the Middle East, competitiveness, migration, EU cohesion policies or enlargement. He called for increased funding for innovation and research so that the EU can respond effectively to the policies of its competitors. Greece's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Papadopoulou, note that the EU Mediterranean countries will be the first to experience the impact of a further es calation in the region and said that coordinated response was therefore 'essential'. She also underlined the importance of strengthening the migration partnership while ensuring additional funding for the protection of the EU's external borders, supporting small and medium enterprises and addressing the rising energy prices with considering the need for investment in all aspect of the energy sector. Andreja Metelko - Zgombic, Croatia's State Secretary for Europe, said that the situation in the Middle East 'shows that stronger cooperation with our partners in the Mediterranean basin is necessary', noting that her country pays high importance to strengthening relations with countries in the Southern neighbourhood. She also emphasised Croatia's focus on energy security and diversification, strong cohesion policy, a competitive agriculture policy and demographic revitalization, which she said, was one of Croatia's development priorities for this decade. Migration, she added, was high on her country's agenda. Sl ovenia's State Secretary for European Affairs, Marko Stucin, called for a ceasefire in the Middle East and for unity in the EU on this matter. All MED9 countries are the ones that have responsibility to reach this unity within the EU, he added. Concerned by attacks against Guterres we need to support the UN if we want peace in the Middle East, he went on. 'We would like to see this also reflected in the joint statement of the leaders', he said. He also noted that they discuss mainly the strategic autonomy of the EU, which in their view, he noted, was part of the security and safety of the EU. The EU, he said, needs to remain a global actor, and to ensure a peaceful and secure region. He also announced that Slovenia has informed the other MED9 members that it would be happy to preside the group next year. Fernando Mariano Sampedro Spain's Secretary of State for the European Union, said, among other things, that the situation in the Middle East 'has reminded us that we need a solid EU approach as regards the M editerranean.' He said that he presented to his counterparts two examples of MED9 cooperation, noting that in the last days they have jointly endorsed two non-papers regarding the EU-Southern Neighbourhood and the Union for the Mediterranean that have been sent to all members states and the Commission. He also stressed the need to ensure the regularity of Southern Neighbourhood meetings at different levels to promote a stronger partnership with the South. On the issue of competitiveness, he referred to his country's experience noting that energy prices have dropped in Spain in the last years, and that the country was experiencing a stronger growth than the EU average while they have made efforts to keep social cohesion. Ines Domingos, Portugal's Secretary of State for European Affairs, thanked Cyprus for assisting in repatriation of Portuguese citizens from Lebanon. She also called on Israel to revise its decision to declare UNSG Antonio Guterres as "persona non grata." Domingos also referred to the discussi on on the EU enlargement, defence and security, environmental and digital transition and boosting the EU's role in the world, particularly in the Southern Neighbourhood, noting that increased funding was necessary to meet these ambitions. Malta's Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Christopher Cutajar, noted that the new EU institutional cycle arrives at a critical time and that the Mediterranean region was at the forefront of these challenges. He also said that small and medium sized businesses require better access to funding and resources to remain competitive, while connectivity remains a key to success for internal market, noting that 'we must ensure that aviation and the maritime industries are supported appropriately to maintain competitiveness without compromising the carbonization goal.' Addressing migration remains a priority, he added, noting that Malta believes the EU Pact on Asylum and Migration needed reinforcement, innovation, and broader partnerships. Source: Cyprus News Agency