Prime Minister in Slovenia for MED9 Summit

Leaders from nine Mediterranean European Union nations convened in Slovenia on Monday for the annual MED9 Summit, addressing the EU’s long-term budget, climate change, migration, energy policy, and the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Jordan’s King Abdullah II also attended, underscoring the summit’s growing international significance and its expanding focus beyond the EU’s borders.

Host Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said the discussions centered on energy security and pricing, emphasizing that renewable investments remain essential to Europe’s economic and environmental future.

“We also addressed the pressing issue of energy infrastructure, but even more importantly, energy prices. Going green through the transition and investing in renewables seems the most viable way forward to secure both European autonomy and lower prices. We are advocating for a more flexible approach to the decarbonization of industry,” Prime Minister Golob said.

During the summit, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced that Croatia will take over the group’s rotating presidency on 1 January next year - marking the country’s first time in the role. He said Zagreb’s priority will be to encourage deeper cooperation among Mediterranean EU members.

“Croatia sees itself as a gateway for the Mediterranean to Central Europe. That’s why we should promote a safer, more sustainable, and more resilient Mediterranean within our presidency. This also ties with our upcoming chairmanship of the Three Seas Initiative, connecting the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas,” said Plenković.

The MED9 group - which includes Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain - serves as a platform for southern EU nations to coordinate positions on key European and regional issues.

This year’s summit highlighted the bloc’s ongoing efforts to balance economic stability with environmental commitments while navigating complex geopolitical challenges in its neighborhood.