Investing in the Mediterranean neighborhood as part of EU’s new geopolitical context

Abstract

The wars in Ukraine and Israel require the EU to redefine its geopolitical orientation, also from an industrial perspective. A key element is its policy towards its neighborhood, not least in the Mediterranean. Such a review may comprise more infrastructure investments and a strengthening of the industrial cooperation on the climate and energy transition as well as on the digital economy. Important legislation on these issues has been finalized by the Von der Leyen commission, but important implementation issues remain to be solved. Huge investments are necessary and new cooperation opportunities arise in the form of new pipelines for gas and hydrogen (or derivatives), massive availability of renewable energy (solar, wind), need for more electricity transmission lines, etc. Will the EIB raise the stakes of triggering these investments? Does the Commission have an integrated plan?