A new agenda for the Mediterranean: are the EU tools and means of action up to its ambitions?

Project description:

In the context of the new Communication on the subject-matter presented jointly by the Commission and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy (EEAS) in February 2021 the Committee on Foreign Relation of the European Parliament called for a study focused on the Mediterranean Sea.

The cooperation on the basin, to whom participate EU Member States and the non-EU Mediterranean coastal states, has a long history that begins with the Barcelona Declaration, continued in 2008 with the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, and with the Global Strategy in 2016. This evolution brings to the 2021 “Renewed Partnership with the Southern Neighborhood: A new Agenda for the Mediterranean” set in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy. The southern Mediterranean region is facing several challenges, from climate change to failure of states, and the European Union would like to cooperate with MENA partners to tackle the issue.

Objectives:

The main aim of this study is to provide a general overview of actions in the region, geopolitical considerations proposing policy recommendations for the EU toolbox. The study introduction will be structured with a summary of the evolution of the EU and Southern Neighborhood relations. 

The main part of the study:

• Assess the political, institutional and economic framework of EU towards Southern Neighborhood and evaluate the new policy’s coherence with the objectives, principles and values contained in the EU’s Treaties with the policy and legislative framework;
• Analyse the key policy areas covered by the 2021 Commission communication;
• Evaluate the communication strategy for the project along with EU’s toolbox instruments and initiatives, and identify any missing elements;
• Forecast potential scenarios for the future of EU-MENA relations.

The study will provide concrete recommendations to the EU and its partners, together with advises specifically for the European Parliament.

Project Leader: CASE- Center for Social and Economic Research (Poland)

Project Partner: IEMED

Project Client: European Parliament