Union for the Mediterranean
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The Union for the Mediterranean (French: Union pour la Méditerranée; previously known as Mediterranean Union, French: Union méditerranéenne)[1] is a proposed community of European Union member states and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea planned to be established in July 2008.[2][3] It was suggested by French President Nicolas Sarkozy as an alternative to Turkish membership of the European Union, which would instead form the backbone of the new union,[4] but with the scaling down of plans in March 2008 that idea has been abandoned. When Turkey was offered a guarantee in March 2008 that it would not be an alternative to the EU, Turkey accepted the invitation to participate.
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[edit] History
[edit] Proposal
The proposal was originally made as part of Sarkozy's election campaign.[5][6][7] Following his victory the idea was reiterated, with plans being drawn up.[8][9] Despite the potential division it could cause with the Muslim world, President Sarkozy sees the initiative as a way of promoting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours.[8] It is hoped that an institutional core will be established by the end of the French presidency of the European Union in 2008.[10] On 23 October 2007 Sarkozy invited all Mediterranean leaders to a summit in France to take place in June 2008 where they would "lay the foundations of a political, economic and cultural union founded on the principles of strict equality."[11]
[edit] Criticism
However the lack of details provided at that stage was a source of criticism. Further more there was concern about the relationship between the proposed MU and the existing Euromediterranean Partnership, which might reduce the effectiveness of EU policies in the region and allow the southern countries to play on the rivalries to escape unpopular EU policies. There were similar economic concerns in the loss of civil society and similar human rights based policies. Duplication of polices from the EU's police and judicial area was a further worry.[12]
[edit] Scaling down
At the start of 2008 Sarkzoy began to scale down his plans for the MU due to widespread opposition from other states in the EU and the Commission (see "Reactions" below).[13] At the end of February of that year France's minister for European affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, stated that "there is no Mediterranean Union" but rather a "Union for the Mediterranean" which would only be "completing and enriching" to existing EU structures and policy in the region.[1] Following a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel it was agreed that the project would include all EU member states, not just those bordering the Mediterranean, and built upon the existing Barcelona process. Turkey also agreed to take part in the project following a guarantee from France that it was no longer intended as an alternative to EU membership. The MU will be launched on the 13-14 July 2008.[3]
[edit] Institutions and aims
The Mediterranean Union would be a looser grouping than the EU. Sarkozy called on the Mediterranean people to "do the same thing, with the same goal and the same method" as the European Union, however he stated it would not be based on the EU model.[11] However when the project began to be scaled down in 2008, many proposals were dropped, such as a Mediterranean Investment Bank (modeled on its European counterpart[8]), and a raft of agencies. Instead it would focus on more practical projects.[14]
Under the original plans, members would form a regular council under a rotating presidency (similar to the current EU model) dealing with energy, security, counter-terrorism, immigration and trade. French nuclear expertise would be exchanged for North African gas reserves. The Mediterranean and European Unions would work together and share some institutions, including a common judicial area to fight corruption, terrorism, organised crime and people smuggling. Barcelona was seen as a failure by some, in part as it, in contrast, included all EU members; by including only Mediterranean states it is hoped that it would have a clearer direction, as northern European States are less interested in Mediterranean affairs. This would avoid the lack of ambition and co-ordination in Europe.[9][8][2]
[edit] Prospective members
The MU would consist of all the EU states and those countries on the Mediterranean rim/participating in the Barcelona process.[3] The idea is to form a "bridge" between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.[8]
The original proposals would have only included those EU states who were bordering the Mediterranean: Portugal, Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece and Cyprus.[15]. All other EU states would have been silent observers[11] which angered those countries who would not be involved[13] such as Germany as it did not approve of EU funds being used in a project which it did not have influence in.[3]
According to the latest proposals, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Monaco and Montenegro will also be part of the MU.[16]
Countries bordering the sea (blue)
The rest of the European Union (dark grey)
| Flag | State | Membership | Population | Area km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Algeria | Barcelona | 33,333,216 | 2,381,740 |
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Austria | EU, Barcelona | 8,316,487 | 83,871 |
.svg/22px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small} |
Belgium | EU, Barcelona | 10,584,534 | 30,528 |
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Bulgaria | EU, Barcelona | 7,679,290 | 110,912 |
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Cyprus | EU, Barcelona | 766,400 | 9,251 |
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Czech Republic | EU, Barcelona | 10,306,709 | 78,866 |
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Denmark | EU, Barcelona | 5,457,415 | 43,094 |
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Egypt | ENP, Barcelona | 80,335,036 | 1,001,449 |
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Estonia | EU, Barcelona | 1,342,409 | 45,226 |
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Finland | EU, Barcelona | 5,289,128 | 338,145 |
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France | EU, Barcelona | 63,392,140 | 674,843 |
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Germany | EU, Barcelona | 82,314,906 | 357,050 |
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Greece | EU, Barcelona | 11,125,179 | 131,990 |
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Hungary | EU, Barcelona | 10,066,158 | 93,030 |
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Ireland | EU, Barcelona | 4,239,848 | 70,273 |
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Israel | ENP, Barcelona | 7,184,000 | 20,770 |
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Italy | EU, Barcelona | 59,131,287 | 301,318 |
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Jordan | ENP, Barcelona | 5,924,000 | 89,342 |
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Latvia | EU, Barcelona | 2,281,305 | 64,589 |
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Lebanon | ENP, Barcelona | 4,099,000 | 10,452 |
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Libya | Barcelona (observer) | 6,036,914 | 1,759,540 |
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Lithuania | EU, Barcelona | 3,373,991 | 65,303 |
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Luxembourg | EU, Barcelona | 476,200 | 2,586 |
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Malta | EU, Barcelona | 404,962 | 316 |
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Morocco | ENP, Barcelona | 33,757,175 | 446,550* |
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Netherlands | EU, Barcelona | 16,372,715 | 41,526 |
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Palestinian territories[17] | ENP, Barcelona | 3,800,000 | 6,020 |
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Poland | EU, Barcelona | 38,116,486 | 312,683 |
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Portugal | EU, Barcelona | 10,599,095 | 92,391 |
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Romania | EU, Barcelona | 21,565,119 | 238,391 |
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Slovakia | EU, Barcelona | 5,396,168 | 49,037 |
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Slovenia | EU, Barcelona | 2,013,597 | 20,273 |
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Spain | EU, Barcelona | 45,116,894 | 506,030 |
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Sweden | EU, Barcelona | 9,142,817 | 449,964 |
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Syria | Barcelona | 20,314,747 | 185,180 |
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Tunisia | ENP, Barcelona | 10,102,000 | 163,610 |
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Turkey | EU Candidate, Barcelona | 71,158,647 | 783,562 |
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United Kingdom | EU, Barcelona | 60,587,300 | 244,820 |
[edit] Reactions
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 This article is part of the series: |
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Mediterranean Union
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Neighbourhood Policy · ACP · Economic Relations · Diplomatic Missions · Security · Military · Eurosphere · ESDP missions |
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[edit] European Union
The project is supported by Spain,[18] Italy,[15] and Greece.[19] However the EU itself and Germany have been more cautious about the idea: The European Commission has stated that such initiatives promoting regional co-operation are "good", however they say the project should build on existing structures. That was in reference to the Barcelona process which the Commission noted as being "successful". It fears Sarkozy's project would undermine the work of the Barcelona process. The Commission and EU capitals would like to know more about the details of the project.[20][11]
[edit] Opposition
Likewise Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave a cautious response to the initiative and emphasized that it should not compete with the EU or the Barcelona process.[21] In December 2007, German chancellor Angela Merkel criticised Sarkozy's plans, saying that they risked splitting and threatening the core of the EU. In particular she criticised that just a small number of EU countries, excluding the others, would form the union with EU funds, stating that "this could release explosive forces in the union I would not like."[20] When Slovenia took the EU presidency in 2008, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa added to the criticism stating: "We do not need a duplication of institutions, or institutions that would compete with EU, institutions that would cover part of the EU and part of the neighbourhood."[22]
[edit] Malta
Sarkozy angered the Maltese government when, outlining his proposal of a Mediterranean Union in Toulon during his 2007 presidential election campaign, he listed France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus as potential members of the new entity but forgot to mention Malta. The Maltese Ambassador to France Vicki-Ann Cremona wrote to Sarkozy expressing the Maltese government’s regret at his mistake. She also reminded the then UMP Presidential candidate about Malta’s role in hosting the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly. For his part, Sarkozy immediately wrote back to apologise, recognising the importance of Malta as a key player in the Mediterranean region. As Minister for the Interior, Sarkozy immediately tried to make up by inviting Malta to the Frontex Exercise, paying all the expenses tied to Malta’s participation.[23]
[edit] Scale down
In response to criticism from his European partners, Sarkozy has had to scale down his original plans for the MU. Disagreements with Germany led to a mini summit between the two leaders being delayed three months till June 2008, however Sarkozy still plans to hold a summit on 13 July involving the relevant EU states and the southern countries. This angered many EU countries outside as the rest of the EU would only be invited the day after to sign off the deal.[13]
[edit] South Mediterranean
Israel[24], Morocco[25], and Tunisia[26] have supported the proposal[8] while Turkey rejected the proposal as an alternative to EU membership.[9] When Turkey was offered a guarantee in March 2008 that it would not be an alternative to the EU, Turkey accepted the invitation to participate.[3]
The Libyan government was concerned by the proposal and sent its foreign minister Abdel Rahman Shalgham to both Tunisia and Algeria to discuss the matter with their presidents prior to the arrival of Sarkozy to the region. The same source mentioned that according to well-informed sources that Libya said that it thinks that it is a mistake on the part of France to publicize this project before listening to what the countries of North Africa have to say about it, while calling attention to the fact that Qaddafi refuses that France should impose its hegemony over the countries of the Arab Maghreb Union under the name of Mediterranean cooperation.[27][28]
[edit] See also
- Accession of Turkey to the European Union
- Arab League
- Barcelona Conference
- Economic integration
- Euro-Mediterranean free trade area
- Euro-Mediterranian Parliamentary Assembly
- European Neighbourhood Policy
- Middle East Free Trade Area
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b Vucheva, Elitsa (2008-02-27) France says it has no preferred EU president candidate, EU Observer
- ^ a b Sarkozy sounds out basis for Mediterranean Union Euractiv.com 16/07/07. Accessed 2007-07-19.
- ^ a b c d e Turkey, reassured on EU, backs 'Club Med' plan, The Guardian 4 March 2008
- ^ Sarkozy: “Turkey could be the backbone of a Mediterranean Union” Turkish Press Review 08/02/07
- ^ Sparks Expected to Fly Whoever Becomes France's President DW World 13/02/07
- ^ Royal v Sarkozy: The policies BBC News 15/02/07
- ^ Roundup: French presidential hopeful Sarkozy presents vision on foreign policy People's Daily 02/03/07
- ^ a b c d e f Sarkozy's proposal for Mediterranean bloc makes waves International Herald Tribune 10/05/07
- ^ a b c Turkey angered by Sarkozy 'Mediterranean Union' idea EU Observer 18/05/07
- ^ We are ready to create a Mediterranean Union Le Figaro 31/05/07
- ^ a b c d Goldirova, Renata (2007-10-25) France muddies waters with 'Mediterranean Union' idea, EU Observer
- ^ Behr, Timo and Ruth Hanau Santini (2007-11-12) Comment: Sarkozy's Mediterranean union plans should worry Brussels, EU Observer
- ^ a b c Mahony, Honor (2008-02-25) Franco-German summit postponed amidst speculation of rift, EU Observer
- ^ Balmer, Crispian (2008-03-04) [http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL04928348.html Sarkozy's Med dream deflated by Germany], Reuters
- ^ a b Mediterranean Union project is core of Franco-Italian Abhaber (on Google Caché) 01/06/07
- ^ EJP | News | EU adopts plan to enhance partnership with its Mediterranean neighbours
- ^ Is not a recognised state, claimed by Israel, and the Gaza Strip is now outside the control of the Authority.
- ^ Spanish PM backs French plan for 'Mediterranean Union' French News 31/05/07
- ^ Sarkozy Karamanlis talks
- ^ a b Mahony, Honor (2007-12-06) Merkel criticises Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union plans, EU Observer
- ^ Germany cautious on Sarkozy's Mediterranean bloc plan, EU Business, July 5, 2007
- ^ Keller, Caroline (2008-01-17) Slovenia criticises French Mediterranean Union proposal, EU Observer
- ^ MaltaToday
- ^ Mediterranean Union: Peres views Sarkozy's suggestion positively EJP 07/05/07
- ^ Morocco 'to strongly adhere to Mr. Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union Initiative,' Minister Maghreb Arabe Presse 06/07/07
- ^ Tunisia 'enthusiastic' on Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union, Tocqueville Connection, July 9, 2007
- ^ (Arabic)ليبيا تسعى لمحاصرة مشروع ساراكوزي المتوسطي- Libya Seeks to Besiege Sarkozy's Mediterranean Project ليبيااليوم - Libya Alyoum, 14 July 2007
- ^ (French)Le projet d'union méditerranéenne au centre de discussions tuniso-libyennes, Le Monde, 9 July 2007
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