Third Jean Monnet Conference : An Evolving EU Engaging a Changing Mediterranean Region

Abstract

The third and final Jean Monnet Conference was held on 12 May 2015 at Dar l-Ewropa, Valletta. Fourteen scholars and a number of students as well as members of the public participated in the conference. It was chaired by Prof. Roderick Pace, Director of the Institute for European Studies and Jean Monnet Professor. The speakers at the Conference were Prof. Alfred Tovias from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Prof. Susannah Verney, from the National and Kapodistrian Univeristy of Athens; Dr. Alexander Apostolides from the European University of Cyprus; Prof. Baldur Thorhallsson from the University of Iceland; Dr. Dana Lusa from the University of Zagreb; Prof. Andrew Geddes from the University of Sheffield; Prof. Panayotis J. Tsakonas from the University of the Aegean, Rhodes; Dr. Stelios Stavridis from the Univeristy of Zaragosa; Prof. Gilbert Achcar, from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; Dr. Charalambos Tsardanidis from the University of the Aegean, Rhodes; and Dr. Angelos Katsaris, from the College of Europe, Natolin, Warsaw. Prof. Pace opened the Conference by introducing the theme of 'An Evolving EU Engaging a Changing Mediterranean Region' and the sub-themes which were presented in the rest of the conference. The presentations covered a variety of current topics including the economic and political crises on both sides of the Mediterranean and the rise of euroscepticism (Prof. Tovias and Prof. Verney); region-specific issues in Cyprus, Nordic countries and the Western Balkans (Dr. Apostolides, Prof. Thorhallsson, Dr. Lusa); the EU‘s asylum and migration policies in relation to the Mediterranean (Prof. Geddes, Dr. Carammia and Prof. Tsakonas); the dynamics of challenges posed by the Arab uprisings for the EU (Dr. Stavridis, Prof. Achcar). Other presentations tackled specific issues such as energy security (Dr. Tsardanidis) and climate change policy (Dr. Katsaris). Prof. Roderick Pace concluded the Conference with a final address and discussion. A Workshop was held the following day with the participation of Prof. Pace; Prof . Sergio Fabbrini (Professor of Government and Director, School of Government, LUISS Guido Carli University, Rome); Dr. Leila Mouhib (Université libre de Bruxelles); Ms Maria Giulia Amadio Viceré (PhD Student, LUISS Guido Carli University, Rome); Prof. Fulvio Attinà (Univeristy of Catania); Prof. Tsakonas; and Dr. Tsardanidis. The topics discussed included EU Mediterranean security in relation to the Arab Spring; the promotion of democracy in the region; the provision of aid; migration in the Mediterranean; energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean; and the responsiveness of the EU to the security dilemma faced by small states in its fold such as Cyprus and Malta. A way forward was also discussed for future academic exchange on the thematic areas tackled during the course of the Jean Monnet project.