The 'union for the Mediterranean' and its impact on the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and the European neighbourhood policy

Abstract

The topic of a new revival of the EU's Mediterranean policy has been on the top of the EU agenda ever since French President Sarkozy proposed to launch a 'Mediterranean Union'. The proposal evoked critics in favour and against. Some argued that the initiative would most likely meet the same faith encountered by the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, whilst others appreciated how it had refocused attention upon the Mediterranean, with the potential of revamping relations. Following a brief description of the nature and structures of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and European Neighbourhood Policy, the dissertation shall present an analysis on whether the Union for the Mediterranean may solve the shortcomings faced by the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, which have hindered full cooperation between the EU and Mediterranean countries. The dissertation shall support the view that in spite of the obstacles the new concept is encountering, not least the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Union for the Mediterranean can make a valid and useful contribution to Euro-Mediterranean relations, in particular through the reinforced regional dimension, as supported by six projects of common interest.