The Union for the Mediterranean: from the Europeanization of Foreign Policy to the Decommunitarization of Mediterranean Policy

Authors

  • ESTHER BARBÉ IZUEL

Keywords:

Union for the Mediterranean, Barcelona Process, Euromediterranean Partnership, European Foreign Policy, Europeanization, Europe Normative Power, External Governance, Flexible Multilateralism, Convergence, Coherence, Incentives, Legitimacy.

Abstract

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) creates a new regional cooperation framework between the EU and the Mediterranean partners that raises doubts regarding the coordination with the current Euromediterranean Partnership. The UfM is technocratic (technical projects aimed to growth), flexible (variable geometry) and establishes the sense of co-ownership amongst the EU-partners (new co-shared institutions). The changes introduced by the UfM raise doubts and challenges either in the EU or amongst the partners. The formulation process of the UfM, led by Sarkozy, revealed problems of internal cohesion in the EU. Furthermore the institutionalization of the UfM entails a weakening of the Commission role and the communitarian rationale. The partners criticize the UfM because of its inability to offer new financial incentives in the current economic crisis situation. The reformist sectors of the Arab countries disapprove the UfM because of its technocratic trend that does not take into consideration the values (Democracy, Human Rights) deep-rooted in the Barcelona Process.

Published

2009-05-20

Issue

Section

STUDIES