MED-9 meeting addresses security, asylum and strategic partnerships

Presidents, Prime Ministers and representatives of MED-9, an informal group of nine southern EU Member States (Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain), met on 7 October 2026 in Split, Croatia, which currently holds the group's presidency. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa also participated. The Member States adopted the Split Declaration, addressing geopolitical security and stability, asylum, migration and the protection of the EU's external borders, enlargement and strategic partnerships in the Southern Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans, climate resilience and adaptation, energy security, food security and agriculture, the Multiannual Financial Framework, demographic resilience and social cohesion.

On migration and asylum, drawing on recent events in Ceuta, the declaration stressed the need for a united EU response, based on solidarity, in the event of sudden and significant pressure on any part of the Union's external borders. It reaffirmed solidarity with Member States under pressure and emphasised the importance of preparedness, early warning, timely EU political, operational and financial support, and effective border management in full respect of EU and international law. The declaration welcomed the entry into application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and underlined the importance of its full implementation, including effective border procedures, solidarity and responsibility-sharing, and swifter, more effective returns. The declaration also highlighted the need for stronger strategic and comprehensive partnerships with countries of origin and transit to address irregular migration along the entire route through prevention, readmission, sustainable reintegration and action on its root causes.