Cairo: Speaker of the House of Representatives Hanafi Gebali asserted that the Euro-Mediterranean partnership is not a choice, but a strategic necessity. This was stated in his speech while inaugurating the Forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) and the summit of parliamentary speakers hosted by the Egyptian House of Representatives on November 28-29.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Gebali stated that Egypt, at both the presidential and parliamentary levels, will continue to support every effort that promotes regional cooperation and reinforces the values of peace, development, and solidarity. The event is held as part of celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Barcelona Process.

Gebali highlighted that the Barcelona Process, which the forum commemorates, represented a historic milestone and a cornerstone of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, placing it among the world's most important models for comprehensive regional cooperation. He noted that the forum offers a genuine platform to revisit the progress made over the years and to examine, with realism and courage, the challenges faced by the shared Euro-Mediterranean space, whose civilizations and destinies are inextricably linked.

He pointed out that the Euro-Mediterranean region is witnessing unprecedented challenges, including political instability, prolonged conflicts, and escalating regional tensions that threaten collective security. These dangers cast long shadows over the safety and stability of the entire region, he said.

Gebali recalled that Egypt hosted the International Peace Summit in Sharm El Sheikh with the participation of prominent world leaders, establishing a foundation and roadmap for achieving a just and lasting peace across the Middle East. He emphasized that sustainable stability cannot be achieved without real economic growth that citizens can feel.