Overlapping Crises Cast Shadow Over Euro-Mediterranean Relations

Abstract

The process of developing a meaningful Euro-Mediterranean dialogue that will bridge
societies of the two Mediterranean shores has been a thorny one facing serious security, political
and economic obstacles. This article argues that despite the slow-down in Euro-Mediterranean
cooperation due to the, still evolving, overlapping crises in southern European and MENA
countries, new modes of (inter)regional action are to develop, based less on all encompassing
institutions and norms and more on flexibility and variable geometry. Southern European
countries should not lose this historic challenge to reshape EU’s Mediterranean policy in light
of new development and governance needs on both shores of the Mediterranean.