The participating committees include Political and Security Affairs; Economic, Financial and Education Affairs; Women’s Rights; Energy, Environment and Water; and Improving Quality of Life and Cultural Exchanges.
The House is hosting both the preparatory forum and the main summit under the theme “Enhancing economic cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean on the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process,” aiming to strengthen economic and security partnerships between northern and southern Mediterranean states.
Speaking to parliamentary correspondents ahead of the Bureau and Enlarged Bureau meetings, Abou El-Enein said the Mediterranean region is entering “a new phase that requires activating capabilities and building real economic and developmental partnerships.” He reaffirmed that the Barcelona acquis remains the cornerstone of regional security and sustainable development, while the Union for the Mediterranean continues to serve as the institutional engine for reviving this trajectory. He noted that Euro-Mediterranean cooperation slowed after the era of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy but is now experiencing “a strong revival,” driven by a shared recognition that the region must shift from aid-based relations to investment-led partnerships.
Abou El-Enein revealed that the European Commission is considering establishing a dedicated body to implement economic and social programmes, alongside major financing initiatives in education, industry, and innovation. The moment, he argued, demands non-traditional ideas, advanced industrial projects, and accessible financing tools capable of generating jobs and supporting sustainable development across the Mediterranean. The upcoming phase, he said, aims to update the Barcelona Process’s goals and open new investment horizons backed by strong political will. He highlighted Egypt’s recent diplomatic momentum—led by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi—as a driving force accelerating this vision in fields such as energy, climate, education, health, and economic development.
Abou El-Enein pointed to growing international recognition of Egypt’s role, saying Cairo now enjoys heightened respect for its balanced foreign policy and realistic approach to global affairs. He stressed that Egypt’s central position in regional security and conflict de-escalation enhances its ability to spearhead Mediterranean development initiatives. He also underscored the role of national parliaments in following up on programme implementation, noting that the Assembly’s meetings will address developments in Middle Eastern crises and prepare a roadmap grounded in the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit.
Reaffirming Egypt’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian cause, Abou El-Enein declared: “No displacement, no liquidation of the cause. It is time for a decisive international position to stop the genocide.” He emphasized the need to return to negotiations as a first step towards reconstruction. He also addressed the situations in Sudan, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Syria, Lebanon, and Libya, noting reduced foreign interference and stressing that any solutions must reflect the will of the peoples.
He called for moving from a culture of aid to one of investment through strategic projects in education, healthcare, industry, renewable energy, and rare-mineral-linked sectors, alongside the creation of joint universities and production centres. He argued that irregular migration is fundamentally an economic challenge, and that the only sustainable response is to create genuine job opportunities. He concluded by noting growing confidence in Egypt and its leadership, saying Mediterranean countries are gravitating towards deeper cooperation “because interests have become shared,” adding that Europe—“an ageing continent”—increasingly needs developmental partnerships based on lawful work and mutual benefit with the southern Mediterranean.
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