Source: Government of the Republic of Croatia
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said that the discussions showed that all the countries of southern Europe are faced with the same challenges, such as inflation, the consequences of global conflicts, climate disasters and illegal migration.
Following the conclusion of the MED9 summit in Split, a final press conference was held by the heads of state and government. In addition to the host, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, participants included the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Portugal Luís Montenegro, and Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša.
Today’s summit was held under the Croatian presidency, and Prime Minister Plenković told reporters that the nine countries of the MED9 group account for one-third of European Union member states and 41 percent of its GDP, representing a population of 205 million—or 45 percent of the European population—while 293 Members of the European Parliament come from these countries.
He also noted that the total trade volume between Croatia and the remaining eight MED9 countries in 2025 exceeded 20 billion euros—a figure that, in the Prime Minister’s assessment, underscores the political and economic significance of cooperation within this format.
He emphasized that Croatia’s presidency of the MED9 group took place under the slogan “For a Safer, More Sustainable, and More Resilient Mediterranean” and encapsulated shared priorities—namely, as he stated, stability, security, the protection of the sea and the environment, and the resilience of our economies, energy systems, and communities.
He also recalled that the Three Seas Initiative summit had been held in Dubrovnik, and noted that Split was chosen for this event to better showcase Croatia as a Mediterranean country.
Split Declaration Adopted
Reflecting on the Split Declaration adopted today, the Prime Minister stated that it very well summarized the content of the day’s discussion, as well as the year-long cooperation that took place through various ministerial meeting formats.
He added that the discussion was dominated by topics important for the upcoming European Council meeting, such as the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, European Union enlargement, the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, energy cooperation, and finding responses to rising energy prices.
When it comes to sustainability, they discussed joint efforts to preserve the Mediterranean’s bioresources, clean energy transition, protection of fish stocks, and focusing on special policies for the islands, so that their inhabitants have the same chances as those who live on the mainland.
The Prime Minister once again thanked everyone for coming to Split and wished Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro success in assuming the MED9 presidency.
