International studies, Vol. X No. 1, 2010.
Review article
European Union and Mediterranean: Politics and Instruments of Cooperation
Marijana Musladin
; Department of Communicology, University of Dubrovnik
Abstract
After the Cold War Mediterranean became the important strategic area as well as the challenge to European security. Having in mind its strategic and security position, Mediterranean was even before perceived as important in the framework of EU policies including foreign and security policy. However terrorist attacks in Madrid and London stressed the importance of the Mediterranean and Middle East for European security thus creating the opportunity for certain redefinitions of foreign, security and defence policy. Strategic importance of the Mediterranean is partly based on crisis situation related with key security challenges in contemporary world. Except from foreign and security policy, the EU uses other instruments to make an impact on its surroundings having in mind policies and instruments aimed at connecting states in the region and developing their relations with the EU counties. One specially needs to stress the importance of the Barcelona process and the Union for the Mediterranean as two main instruments. The European Union also managed to foster discussion on resolving open issues, primarily in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Keywords
Mediterranean; European security; Barcelona Process: Union for Mediterranean; peace process; European neighbourhood policy
Hrčak ID:
291203
URI
Publication date:
15.5.2010.
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