The Euro-Mediterranean political and security dimension

Abstract

We are now nine years into the Barcelona Process and still nothing substantial has truly been achieved. The aim of thesis is to determine whether the Political and Security dimension of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership has been successful in achieving its objectives or whether its is simply a policy of nice words. The first chapter deals with a historical overview of the EU's Mediterranean Policy, chapter two deals with the recent policies of the European Union, the Wider Europe Neighbourhood Policy and the European Security Strategy and their potential impact on the Euro-med Partnership. Chapter three refers to the relationship between the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Euro Partnership while chapter four looks at all the Mediterranean security initiatives proposed within the history of the Union's Mediterranean Policy: from the CSCM until the most recent. The results show that unfortunately the Political and Security dimension of the EuroMediterranean Partnership has not achieved its intended objectives and it is mostly a policy of nice words. The positive aspect is the establishment of the Euro MediterraneanDialogue of Cultures and the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly which show that the intention for maintaining dialogue is still strong and ongoing. The future of the Euro-Med Partnership lies within the willingness of the partners to work towards attaining its objectives, but much more needs to be done if this policy is to remain alive. Less rhetoric and more business approach is needed.