746 El Cornish, Blue Horizon Tower, Alexandria, Egypt -Mail Box 3101 +20-355-05770 / 773 secretariat@medmou.org PRESS RELEASE FranceJoinstheMediterraneanMoUonPortStateControl, StrengtheningRegionalMaritimeSafetyandSecurity EffectivedateJanuary1,2026. Date Release: October 30, 2025 TheMediterraneanMemorandumofUnderstandingonPortStateControl (MedMoU)ispleasedtoannouncetheformalacceptanceoftheFrench Republicasitsnewestmember.Thedecisionwasratifiedduringthe27 th CommitteeSessionoftheMedMoU,heldfrom21to23October2025in Kalkara,Malta.Theaccessionwasformallysignedduringthesession,with membershipsettobecomeeffectiveon1January2026. Mediterranean MoU on PSC Secretariat Thislandmarkmembershipmarksasignificantstepforwardinenhancingcooperationand harmonizingportStatecontrol(PSC)practicesacrosstheMediterraneanregion.France,with itsextensivecoastlineandmajorportsontheMediterraneanSea,bringsconsiderable expertiseandastrongcommitmenttomaritimesafety,pollutionprevention,andseafarer welfare. "WeextendawarmwelcometoFranceasafullmemberoftheMediterraneanMoU,"said RearAdmiralRedaIsmail,SecretaryGeneraloftheMedMoU."France'smembershipisa testamenttooursharedcommitmenttosafeguardingoursharedmarineenvironmentand ensuringthehigheststandardsofmaritimesafety.Theirprovenexpertiseandactive contributionwillbeinvaluableinfosteringclosercooperationandraisingtheoverall effectivenessofourregionalPSCregime.“ TheFrenchadministrationhasexpresseditshonourinjoiningtheMemorandumandlooks forwardtocollaboratingwithfellowmemberstatestoworktowardstheglobalharmonization ofPSCpracticeswhilerespectingthespecificcharacteristicsoftheMediterraneanregion.