LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Spring 2011

by Klaus Hachmeier

Sir,

Josep Borrell’s well-informed comments about the future of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) include many valid points. Most people who have followed the process are struck by the wide gap between the aims of the UfM and the results achieved so far. With the Middle East peace process stalled, much of the UfM’s work has effectively ground to a halt, with ministerial meetings called off and last November’s summit cancelled. The fact that an action plan to promote trade in Palestinian goods and products was the most notable outcome of the trade ministers’ conference last year also raised a few eyebrows.

Borrell is quite correct when he proposes that the aims of the UfM should be more modest and realistic than the ambitious goals set for its predecessor, the Barcelona Process. His analysis does, however, over-emphasise the limitations created by non-EU states. Their main agenda may well be to improve bi-lateral relations with the EU, as Borrell says, but surely this is a perfectly legitimate goal. We should also remember that EU policy in the region has not always been fully consistent and focused either.

The UfM seeks to implement political, social and economic reforms in non-EU countries, which are then rewarded with improved access to EU markets, or institutional support. Yet in practice this hardly takes place. Political contacts and trade have been steadily increasing, but corresponding reform and in human rights and civil society have lagged behind. Action plans have been agreed for a broad agenda of reforms and it would be in the interests of partner countries – just as much as it would be for civil society and potential investors – to achieve such goals as press freedom, improved human rights and anti-corruption measures. Since they are also values that Europe wants to promote, the EU should say so in a louder voice.

The EU risks losing credibility if its Mediterranean strategy loses focus and transparency. Unfortunately, the institutional process accompanying the UfM is not conducive to these objectives. There are now probably more than 20 different bodies under the umbrella of the UfM, including a Euro-Mediterranean network of experts in public finance and a centre to co-ordinate the fight against drug trafficking. Six areas were identified as priorities when the UfM was established in 2008, and the success of the whole initiative still very largely hinges on the outcome of these six projects.