The human rights dimension of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

Abstract

The relevance of human rights and fundamental freedoms are more significant today than ever before particularly when considering the new security challenges in international relations. Various political and economic actors such as large multi national companies and world leaders in addition to individuals are able to influence events that affect the lives of millions of people. The fact that Malta will shortly be joining the European Union and given its geographic position at the centre of the Mediterranean was the main reason why this study has focused on the Mediterranean region. This region has immense economic potential but has often been hindered by social and political turmoil. Due to the many conflicts existing in the region and particularly the biggest of them all, which is the Middle East problem, outsiders have perceived the region very negatively. The study on the human rights dimension tries to find the way the EU has sought to extend its external relations as a solution of human rights violations around the world with particular reference to the Mediterranean. The external relations of the European Union reflect the level of political integration that has been achieved and what still needs to be done. The internal dynamics of the EU have a spillover effect into the external relations of the Union. The Member States seek to harness the economic potential that has been achieved internally so as to extend this economic stability to other regions of the world in a spirit of solidarity. The relevance of the European Union model in achieving social and economic cohesion reflects the significance of upholding the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The author relishes a personal view that the EU may sustain human rights in international relations and succeed in achieving the economic, political and social aims of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in a spirit of solidarity.