ZAGREB, 17 Sept (Hina) – Croatia’s representative on the new European Commission, Dubravka Šuica, will be responsible for the Mediterranean and for demography, and will have a new Directorate-General for the Mediterranean region under her.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen introduced her new team of commissioners in Strasbourg on Tuesday and sent a letter to each of the nominees outlining their mandate.
Dubravka Šuica was entrusted with the new role of Commissioner for the Mediterranean. The letter sent to her says that a new Directorate-General for the Mediterranean will be formed to support her in her work. She will also be responsible for demography.
During her term in office, Šuica will work closely with Kaja Kallas, Executive Vice-President for Foreign and Security Policy and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy.
“I would like you to be present in the region and consult partners on how best to address shared challenges, invest in a common future and contribute to shared prosperity and security,” the letter to Šuica says.
Her job description includes promoting trade and investment in the region. She will work with Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen to set up a Trans-Mediterranean Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative to increase renewable energy trading and boost clean tech manufacturing in the region.
She will focus on the external aspects of the EU’s migration policy, notably border controls and the fight against smugglers, in respect of human rights.
Šuica will work with Kaja Kallas on a strategic communication plan to promote the EU’s role in the Southern Neighbourhood and on the implementation of the Gulf Strategy and advancing work on strategic partnership agreements with each of the six Gulf countries. She will also support the High Representative “on an EU Middle East Strategy with a view to the day after the war in Gaza, focusing on promoting all the steps needed for a two-state solution”.
In the area of demography, Šuica will help member states to address their demographic challenges, and will support work on increasing the participation of women and young people in the labour market.
