https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46134 2026-04-09T02:01:43Z 2026-04-09T02:01:43Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46431 2019-09-15T05:09:04Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Objectives, principles and recent developments of Swiss foreign policy Abstract: As an introduction, let me immediately stress that Switzerland is a very much globalized country. Landlocked in the heart of Europe, with no commodities but water and stone, Switzerland became a high industrialized country and flourished only through the interaction with other countries and peoples. Out of 8 million inhabitants, the proportion of foreigners living in Switzerland is today more than 22%. Among them, the largest group are Italian, half a million, followed by nationals of Germany and Portugal. The large majority are European, while around 15% of the foreigners are non-European. Today, Switzerland has one of the highest GDP per capita. It is important to know that half of the wealth of Switzerland is generated through our interaction in the global economy. Just compare Switzerland’s 2011 GDP (USD 523 billion) with the export in the same year (USD 308 billion) to understand why free-trade is so important to us. Description: Delivered at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies MEDAC Malta, 12th October, 2012

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46421 2019-09-15T05:08:28Z 2013-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The European Union and the Arab world : from the Rome treaty to the « Arab spring » Abstract: For many Europeans, the Arab World is looked at, at best, as an oil well and a huge market, and, at worst, as a turbulent and dangerous environment. Thus, access to oil, market penetration, and security interests have largely driven European policies towards this region. Under different denominations and umbrellas, European policies in the past 65 years pursued the same objectives: energy, market, security. This has been the case of the Mediterranean Global policy (1972-1992), the Euro-Arab Dialogue (1974-1989), the Renewed Mediterranean Policy (1990-1996), the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (1995-2008), the European Neighborhood Policy (2004-2012) and finally the Union for the Mediterranean (2008-2012). Sometimes, two or three overlapping policies were conducted at the same time.

2013-03-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46419 2019-09-15T05:08:29Z 2013-06-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The United Nations general assembly and the Mediterranean Abstract: It has been recognized that in our interdependent world it is often impossible for one State to achieve lasting security at the expense of the security of other States. This idea underlies the concept of common security, which places greater emphasis on non-military as opposed to military approaches. To achieve common security requires co-operative measures taken at the regional or global level. Mediterranean co-operation might seem an extremely ambitious objective owing inter-alia to the vastness of the geographic area in question, the diverse and complex nature of the problems arising in this semi-enclosed sea and the large number of countries involved, each with its own specific characteristics. Moreover, the repercussions of crises and conflicts that have broken out in the bordering regions such as the Iran/Iraq War, and the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, continue to have a lasting detrimental effect on the human dimension of the Mediterranean littoral.

2013-06-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46418 2019-09-15T05:08:54Z 2013-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Foreign policy and the cultural factor : a research and education agenda Abstract: Working together across national borders demands dealing with different cultures. Cultural competence, consisting of understanding beliefs, values, and behavioural practices of other cultures, is a prerequisite for effective cooperation across cultures. It reflects knowledge, skills and capabilities, which are indispensable in disciplines such as international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy. This statement sounds so simple that it is nearly an axiom. However, systematic academic research in this field is relatively recent and limited in scope (mostly related to business and public opinion). Although the relationships between the study of international relations, foreign policy, diplomacy, and culture may intuitively be understood but they are not subject of a structured research paradigm. Theoretical reflection is almost absent: the literature on the impact of the cultural factor in the field of international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy is scarce and fragmented and does not signify a mature and dynamic area of academic interest. Now and again a scholarly paper appears dealing with a specific issue but an advanced framework for understanding these relations has not yet been developed. Lacking such a framework the politicians and the civil servants involved often act upon intuitive and received wisdoms. This is a serious omission, particularly in times of severe cross-national conflicts and tensions. But it is also true for the day-to-day diplomatic metier: aspirant diplomats are not systematically trained in understanding and coping with cross-cultural differences. This will affect their diplomatic effectiveness. Having substantial cultural competences – at the macro, meso, and micro level as well – is essential for the proficiency and professionalization of the disciplines of international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy.

2013-10-01T00:00:00Z