The word Zeytun, meaning ‘olive’ in different languages in the region, has many symbolic meanings that are cherished in this initiative. The olive tree has a reputation for being a strong and rooted tree, able to survive for centuries, and is at the same time a symbol of the richness and glory of ancient cultures in both Europe and the MENA region, as well as of peace and goodwill. These features are exactly what Zeytun stands for: relations between Europe and the MENA region with a rich and glorious past, a peaceful and prosperous future and a strong nature able to persist for centuries.