The upcoming plenary in Alicante brings together presidents and heads of state from Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Slovenia, and Croatia. Their participation is complemented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus and senior figures from the European Union, including the president of the European Commission and the president of the European Council, who attend as guests. The meeting had originally been scheduled for late September but was postponed after the Spanish prime minister tested positive for a viral illness.
The discussions focus on shaping fiscal rules, strategic autonomy, and energy governance amid Mediterranean volatility, immigration pressures, and global economic shifts. A central outcome anticipated is an agreement on a green hydrogen corridor linking Barcelona to Marseille. The plan is being pursued with the active involvement of Spain, France, and Portugal, who participate at the highest levels.
European Commission update on the green hydrogen corridor
The green hydrogen corridor project is expected to be submitted to the European Commission for funding consideration in mid month. Official statements indicate that roughly half of the funding could come from EU sources, though technical specifics and deadlines remain to be clarified. The corridor is designed to transport only green hydrogen, reflecting a funding model that prioritizes projects centered on this energy form.
Despite the lack of detailed milestones, the Alicante plan signals a major investment in the energy transition and cross border infrastructure.
Alicante emerges as a focal point for Mediterranean leadership, credited with bringing attention to a corridor that promises to boost energy resilience for the region.
In terms of implementation, sources within the energy ministry point to 2030 as a practical target for starting operations. The construction and integration phase is expected to span several years, with rendering work and permitting processes anticipated to take place over a 12 to 24 month window, followed by a longer construction period.
Agenda and expectations for the summit
The summit outlines two main working tracks. The first centers on highlighting energy autonomy and refining economic governance to reflect evolving fiscal rules. The participating Mediterranean nations share positions on these topics, including the stance on the gas price cap proposed by the European Commission. The initial ceiling of 275 euros per megawatt hour faces skepticism; Spain argues for a lower reference point, suggesting a dynamic approach tied to market benchmarks rather than a fixed rate.
A formal lunch at Casa Mediterráneo will bring together the new leaders with the senior EU guests to set the tone for the afternoon discussions. The afternoon session will take place at Ciudad de la Luz, focusing on energy autonomy and the crisis context plus the proposed gas price cap. Inflation reduction measures and related fiscal responses are also on the agenda.
A second session later in the day features a discussion on economic governance and the Commission’s reform proposal for fiscal rules. The informal format of the gathering, dating back to a former initiative in 2014, aims to surface pragmatic solutions to today’s challenges while preserving unity among EU member states.
Bilateral engagements during the summit
Beyond the multilateral program, the event will mark the first formal meeting between the Spanish prime minister and the newly appointed Italian prime minister together with potential discussions with the Portuguese leader. A brief bilateral meeting is also planned with the French president following the joint sessions, reflecting the ongoing emphasis on personal diplomacy as a key driver of EU cohesion.
These interactions underscore the larger objective of aligning national perspectives within a broader European framework to address energy security, economic stability, and regional cooperation.