The President of the ANIMA Investment Network, Tarak Cherif, has made a resounding call for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa to invest in dialogue, innovation and shared development.
Relations between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa are taking on even greater importance in a period of geopolitical upheaval, economic uncertainty and technological transformations, he noted during EUROMED DAYS 2026.
Strengthening dialogue, developing common strategies and building stronger partnerships are key prerequisites for shaping a more resilient and sustainable future for the wider region, Cherif said, underlining the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue as tools for addressing the common challenges faced by Euro-Mediterranean countries.
He expressed his thanks to Cyprus for hosting the ANIMA meeting within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, noting that the country is a founding member of the organisation and has maintained an active role in shaping Euro-Mediterranean cooperation over time.
Tarak Cherif made particular reference to the importance of peace and cooperation, stressing that the region needs to invest in connecting people, markets and economies, not in confrontation. As he noted, the goal is to create value, opportunities and shared prosperity for the people of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
At the same time, he underlined that the world is currently facing increasing international tensions, while diplomacy and international institutions are being tested by new challenges. However, he expressed his belief that the cooperation structures built over the past decades continue to constitute the appropriate framework for strengthening stability, development and regional cohesion.
According to Cherif, the most important challenges that Euro-Mediterranean countries are called upon to face together concern economic growth, innovation, the green transition and the digital transformation. As he emphasised, none of these challenges can be addressed effectively without cross-border cooperation and joint strategic planning.
Tarak Chérif also noted that Cyprus is the ideal place to hold this dialogue, as it is located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and has historically served as a bridge between different economies, cultures and markets.
EUROMED DAYS – Connecting Regions, Empowering Growth: Mediterranean-Europe Investment Partnerships for a Resilient Future Forum, was organised by Invest Cyprus and the ANIMA Investment Network.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
