Strengthening cross-regional cooperation with the EU is a priority for the Regional Programme Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS PolDiMed), all the more so in light of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, which violates international law, and the global systemic rivalry is also being fought out in the South Mediterranean Sea. That is why fostering positive engagement between the region's future leaders is paramount to building robust and long-term relationships in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Within this framework, KAS PolDiMed invited the Executive Board (EB) members of the European Democrat Students (EDS) association, a pan-European centre-right student and youth political association and the official student organization of the European People’s Party (EPP), to Tunisia between 2 and 5 November 2022, to hold in-depth discussions with decision- and policy-makers, experts, and civil society activists, to tackle current issues and prospects for greater regional cooperation. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Patrick Voller, Foreign Policy Advisor of the European People ́s Party.

The delegation had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Youssef Cherif, political analyst, Ms. Nesrine Laamari, Ms. Aya Khiari, and Ms. Héla Omrane, former Tunisian Members of Parliament (MPs), Amb. Hatem Atallah, former Tunisian Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Simon Pullicino, Ambassador of Malta to Tunisia, Ms. Donya Smida, Head of Tunis Office of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Mr. Mohamed Eljarh, Director of Political and Security Risk and Mr. Mohamed Elmagbri, Head of International Development at Libya Desk, the KAS alumni from the European Academy of Otzenhausen (EAO) and MENA Leadership Academy (MENA LA) programs, and Amb. Volodymyr Khomanets, Ambassador of Ukraine to Tunisia.

Discussions covered a wide range of issues including: the political and security developments in Tunisia and North Africa, the Euro-Mediterranean relations since the Barcelona Process in 1995, Europe’s priorities in the Southern Mediterranean region from a Maltese perspective, Libya´s geopolitical importance, youth and civic engagement, regional economic integration, human mobility, and the region’s perception of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

The event aimed to strengthen EU-Mediterranean relations by offering EDS members the opportunity to gain a better insight into the political, economic and social life of Tunisia and the Southern Mediterranean region. KAS PolDiMed remains committed to fostering stronger relationships between future leaders from both shores of the Mediterranean Sea through delegation visits and dialogue programs.