The meeting brought together Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.
Held under the slogan “For a Safer, More Sustainable and Resilient Mediterranean,” the summit focused on security and migration, energy, environmental protection, water management, demographic challenges and relations with the EU’s southern neighbourhood. Discussions also addressed issues expected to feature at the upcoming European Council meeting, including the EU’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, enlargement, support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and rising energy prices.
Sustainability and energy security were also central to the talks, with leaders discussing the clean energy transition, protection of Mediterranean marine resources and fish stocks, and policies supporting the region’s islands. Ahead of the summit, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also held meetings with von der Leyen and other leaders, with energy affordability and security of supply among the issues discussed amid instability in the Middle East.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the Split Declaration, summarising the MED9 countries’ joint priorities and the work carried out during Croatia’s year-long presidency. The gathering underlined the growing importance of the Mediterranean in the EU’s security, economic and geopolitical discussions, while Croatia used the event to further present itself as a link between the Mediterranean and Central Europe.
