European Union (EU)
The European Union has been a continuous supporter of MEDREG since its creation in 2007. As part of its EU southern neighbourhood policy, the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) co-funds the MEDREG project, in close cooperation with the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) which is responsible to ensure secure, sustainable, and competitively priced energy for Europe.
The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) governs the EU's relations with 16 of the EU's closest Eastern and Southern Neighboursm including Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.
The ENP was launched in 2003 with the objective of avoiding the emergence of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and its neighbours and instead strengthening the prosperity, stability and security of all. It is based on the values of democracy, rule of law and respect of human rights.
The ENP was reviewed in 2015 with the stabilisation of the region, in political, economic, and security related terms at the heart of the new policy. Moreover, the ENP puts a strong emphasis on two principles: a differentiated approach, to respect the different aspirations of our partners and to better answer EU interests and the interests of our partners; and an increased ownership by partner countries and Member States.
On 9 February 2021, 25 years after the Barcelona Declaration, the European Commission published a Joint Communication with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy “Renewed partnership with Southern Neighbourhood – A new Agenda for the Mediterranean”. The new Agenda for the Mediterranean proposes a range of actions which includes the energy transition and energy security.
Indeed, Europe and the Mediterranean region have interdependent, complementary and converging energy interests based on the priorities of the green and fair transition and energy security. Future cooperation will have to be adapted to partners’ diverse endowment and needs and be focused on selected priority objectives, among which are the massive deployment of renewable energy and clean hydrogen production; a stronger interconnection of electricity systems and energy efficiency efforts and measures.
The strategic priorities for regional cooperation are further outlined in the regional multiannual indicative programmes.
Regarding energy, the European Union promotes the enhancement of energy security of its Southern neighbouring countries, the progressive decarbonisation of their economies and a gradual integration of Mediterranean energy systems and markets.
These policy priorities play an important role in supporting the countries’ green, digital and sustainable economic development. They also contribute to building a more resilient Energy Union (through the diversification of the EU’s clean and sustainable energy sources) in line with the Green Deal objectives, and pave the way for new business opportunities and partnerships for the European energy industry, fully exploiting scientific and technological advances.
In the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the EU is committed to strengthening its energy dialogue with neighbourhood countries on energy security, market reforms, better interconnected systems and the promotion of clean and sustainable energy.
Regional cooperation complements national assistance programmes, addresses regional challenges, promotes cooperation amongst partners and builds bridges. It encourages South-North and South-South cooperation and promotes dialogue, exchange of views and knowledge sharing. Regional cooperation usually involves all the countries in the Southern Neighbourhood, but can also take place at sub-regional level . It focuses on activities where:
- the region is facing common challenges and thus where common approaches are most effective,
- a shared resource is concerned for which common responsibility needs to be taken, such as the Mediterranean Sea,
- partners seek to move jointly towards more integrated economies, and need to work in a coordinated manner on such issues as transport networks or electricity transmissions.
Regional cooperation offers a unique opportunity for people to sit around the same table and be part of a dialogue. As people work together, experiences are shared, relationships built, networks created and common activities carried out. While many of these projects involve technical dialogue with partner government, civil society and other local stakeholders are also part of this effort.
The European Commission has explicitly acknowledged MEDREG as one of the key institutions for regional cooperation in the energy sector.
Over the period 2021-2027, the EU supports implementation of the ENP policy through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe). From 2007 until 2020, the EU has allocated € 20.5 billion for cooperation in the Southern Neighbourhood through its successive European Neighbourhood financial instruments.
More information on the European Southern Neighbourhood Policy is available on the EU website here while more information about the EU's energy policy is available here.
More information about the EU is available on its Europa portal at https://ec.europa.eu/.
Med-TSO
Med-TSO is the Association of the Mediterranean Transmission System Operators (TSOs) for electricity, operating the High Voltage Transmission Networks of 19 Mediterranean Countries. It was established on 19 April 2012 in Rome as a technical platform that, using multilateral cooperation as a strategy of regional development, could facilitate the integration of the Mediterranean Power Systems and foster Security and Socio – economic Development in the Region. In 2013, MEDREG signed a bilateral cooperation protocol with Med-TSO and a further protocol including the European Commission in 2014. The aim of this cooperation is to join forces to reinforce Mediterranean electricity interconnections and to support a more efficient and balanced dialogue between TSOs and regulators at national level. MEDREG and MED-TSO also closely cooperates to implement the work programme of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Regional Electricity Market Platform (UfM REM Platform).
http://www.med-tso.com/
UfM
The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is an intergovernmental Euro-Mediterranean organisation which brings together all 28 countries of the European Union and 15 countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean.
UfM’s mission is to enhance regional cooperation, dialogue and the implementation of projects and initiatives with tangible impact on Mediterranean citizens, with an emphasis on young people and women, in order to address the three strategic objectives of the region: stability, human development and integration.
MEDREG is an active member of the UfM’s three energy platforms:
- The UfM Regional Electricity Market Platform (UfM REM Platform), which promotes the gradual establishment of regional and sub-regional inter-connected electricity markets.
- The UfM Gas Platform (UfM Gas Platform) whose aim is to reinforce the security of gas supply and regional gas exchanges.
- The UfM Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Platform (UfM REEE Platform) meant at assisting the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and projects.
https://ufmsecretariat.org/
PAM
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean is the principal forum where the national Parliaments of the Euro-Mediterranean region deliberate to reach those strategic objectives towards the creation of the best political, social, economic and cultural environment and conditions for the fellow citizens of the member states.
PAM is an international organisation, an Observer at the General Assembly of the United Nations, with a specific international juridical status. The Assembly plays a fundamental role as the inter-parliamentary organization whose activities are firmly rooted as the instrument of parliamentary diplomacy also to support the work of other international bodies entrusted with the responsibility to foster security, stability and peace in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
MEDREG signed a cooperation agreement with PAM in 2015, which enhances the bilateral collaboration between the two organizations in order to:
- Support the progressive opening and integration of Mediterranean energy markets;
- create an attractive investment framework for energy generation and infrastructure in the region; and
- empower energy consumers through the development of targeted policies.
With the cooperation agreement, the two organisations intend to develop common activities and deepen institutional relations with the scope to facilitate the work of national Parliaments in designing energy laws, most notably regarding the competences of Energy Regulators and the liberalization of energy markets. The promotion of the public and institutional role of Energy Regulators to national Governments, and the identification of joint studies, initiatives and capacity-building activities of interest for the members of both organizations are also part of the protocol.
https://www.pam.int/default.asp
Observatoire Méditerranéen de l'Energie (OME)
Launched in 1988 and incorporated in 1991, OME is the Voice of the energy industry in the Mediterranean area; a Platform for energy dialogue, cooperation and best practices exchanges and a Think Tank of reference in the Euro-Mediterranean Region. The Association gathers leading Mediterranean energy companies and associated partners from sixteen countries.
OME focuses on 4 issues:
- Energy Transition, Sustainability and Climate Change;
- Hydrocarbons and Energy Security;
- Investments needs and Financing of infrastructure;
- Strategy and International Cooperation Committee.
Since 2015, MEDREG closely works with OME in the context of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Gas Platform on regulatory issues. The two organisations also regularly engage in each other’s respective activities.
http://www.ome.org
GIZ
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. We support the German Government in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. We are also engaged in international education activities around the globe. Through our work, we assist people and societies in shaping their own future and improving living conditions. GIZ offers demand-driven, tailor-made and effective services for sustainable development. The agency has activities in over 90 countries.
http://www.giz.de
RES4MED
RES4MED is part of the association Renewable Energy Solutions for the Mediterranean & Africa. RES4MED was initiated in 2012 as a leading platform for public-private dialogue in light of the renewable energy potential and growing energy demand of Southern-Mediterranean countries. Since its inception, RES4MED promotes renewable energy in Southern-Mediterranean countries as a cost-effective, sustainable, and reliable energy strategy to meet growing energy demand.
RES4MED promotes the deployment of large-scale and decentralized renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) solutions in Southern-Mediterranean markets to meet local energy needs for growth. Since 2012, RES4MED gathers a network of international leaders from across the clean energy value chain and supports the creation of an enabling environment for RE and EE investments and strategic partnerships. RES4MED functions as a bridge between members and partners of emerging markets for an exchange of perspectives and expertise.
https://www.res4med.org
MEDENER
Mediterranean Association of National Agencies for Energy Management
MEDENER is the Mediterranean Association of National Agencies for Energy Management. It brings together agencies in the Mediterranean region in charge of energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energy sources, two key conditions for the success of the energy transition.
MEDENER was created in 1997 in Tunis in the form of an international non-profit organisation, to answer the need for stronger cooperation for the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy in the Mediterranean region. Today, it brings together 12 national agencies from the northern and southern banks of the Mediterranean.
MEDENER promotes regional projects related to energy efficiency and renewable energy development:
- The association facilitates the sharing of experiences, know-how and best practices among its members and international partners.
- It accelerates the transfer of skills, methods and technologies in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
- It assists countries in the Mediterranean region with the design and implementation of energy management policies.
https://www.medener.org
meetMED
The Mitigation Enabling Energy Transition in the Mediterranean region (meetMED) project is an EU-funded project, developed by the Mediterranean Association of the National Agencies for Energy Management (MEDENER) and the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE).
meetMED project aims to enhance the energy security of beneficiary countries (namely Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia) while fostering their transition to low carbon economy. Accordingly, meetMED II will be contributing to the creation of more stable, efficient, competitive and climate-resilient socioeconomic contexts in the targeted countries.
MeetMED II activities aim at strengthening the implementation of EE measures and improving countries’ energy mix focusing on building and appliances’ sectors through a multiscale, multi-partner and inclusive approach at local and regional levels, thereby fostering regional cooperation.
https://meetmed.org/