The Director of the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), Jakša Puljiz, PhD, participated as a panelist at the international conference “Pact for the Mediterranean: Partnerships for a Changing World”, which was held at the Providur Palace in Zadar. The event was organized by the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Zadar County and the City of Zadar. The conference was opened by the European Commission Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, who in her speech highlighted the strategic importance of the Pact for the Mediterranean as a new framework approach for strengthening cooperation and economic ties between the two shores of the Mediterranean — with a focus on people, economy, security and resilience.
As part of the panel “People: Driving Force for Change, Connections and Innovation in the Mediterranean”, the IRMO Director emphasized the importance of higher education, vocational training and skills development, and the mobility of young researchers as fundamental elements for long-term connections and fostering innovation in the region.
The conference brought together numerous international participants and experts, and served as a platform for the transition of the Pact from a visionary phase to concrete action plans and initiatives that will contribute to projects of importance to citizens and economies across the Mediterranean region.
About the Pact for the Mediterranean
The Pact for the Mediterranean is a new strategic initiative of the European Commission, designed to enhance cooperation, economic connectivity and stability between the countries of the northern and southern Mediterranean. It is based on the principles of co-creation and ownership through concrete initiatives with added value for citizens and economies on the shores of the Mediterranean.
More information about the event: https://croatia.representation.ec.europa.eu/events/najava-pakt-za-mediteran-partnerstva-za-svijet-koji-se-mijenja-2026-02-09_hr
Photo: European Commission Representation in Croatia
