Is there a Mediterranean foreign policy?

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to determine whether there is a common Mediterranean foreign policy. The Mediterranean region has been for centuries, at the center of much debate of historians, geographers and geologists, who have shown interest in particular aspects of the area. However a thorough analysis of foreign policy-making in the Mediterranean has never been developed. Hence, in my dissertation, I shall try to highlight the main characteristics Mediterranean countries in their foreign policy endeavours. This exercise will possibly enable us to answer the question, "is there a foreign Mediterranean policy?" For the purpose of my analysis, I focused my analysis on two sub regions, namely, North Africa and Southern Europe, where I primarily observed their foreign policy determinants, particularly their internal organization and their geographic location. Then I have observed the behaviour of the countries in the two sub regions in their international relations. As Malta is situated at the center of the north and south divide, I have considered it expedient to include the islands as a case study in my research. Malta's culture, that incorporates both Arab and European traditions, and its geographic proximity to the two regions, makes it an ideal case study in order to shed light on the behaviour of the countries within the two sub regions. Moreover, an analysis of Malta's foreign policy can help us understand whether this common foreign policy really exists. After such an analysis, I bring together the two regions and Malta to determine why the idea of a common foreign Mediterranean policy still does not exist in the Mediterranean basin, and what are those factors that are impeding the development of a homogeneous foreign policy in the region. Moreover I also analyse whether in the near future there is any possibility of a Mediterranean characterized by a single foreign policy behaviour.