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Union for the Mediterranean

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Members of the Union pour la Méditerranée, as launched in July 2008.[1]
Blue: European Union members
Green: African Union (in Africa) and other members
Striped green: Observer members

The Union for the Mediterranean (Template:Lang-fr; previously known as Mediterranean Union, Template:Lang-fr)[2] is a community of European Union member states and non-EU countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea established on 13 July 2008[3][4] by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. He originally proposed the idea as an alternative to Turkish membership in the European Union, whereby Turkey would instead form the backbone of the new Mediterranean Union,[5] but with the scaling down of plans in March 2008 that idea has been abandoned. Once Turkey was given a guarantee in March 2008 that the project would not be an alternative to Turkish EU membership, it accepted the invitation to participate.

History

Proposal

French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed the Union during his election campaign

The proposal was originally made as part of Sarkozy's election campaign.[6][7][8] Following his victory the idea was reiterated, with plans being drawn up.[9][10] Despite the potential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.[9] It is hoped that an institutional core will be established by the end of the French presidency of the European Union in 2008.[11] 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."[12]

Criticism of the proposal at these early stages included 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.[13]

Scaling down

At the start of 2008 Sarkozy 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).[14] 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.[2] 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 was launched on the 13 July-14 July 2008.[4]

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, though he stated it would not be based on the EU model.[12] 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),[9] and a raft of agencies. Instead it would focus on more practical projects.[15]

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.[10][9][3]

Members

The Union consists of all the EU states and those countries on the Mediterranean rim or those which are participating in the Euromediterranean Partnership.[4] The idea is to form a connection between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.[9]

The original proposals would have only included those EU states bordering the Mediterranean: France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Malta, Greece and Cyprus.[16] All other EU states would have been silent observers[12] which angered those countries who would not be involved such as Germany as it did not approve of EU funds being used in a project over which it had no influence.[14][4]

Flag State Population Area
km²
Albania Albania 3,600,523 28,748
Algeria Algeria 33,333,216 2,381,740
European Union Austria Austria 8,316,487 83,871
European Union Belgium Belgium 10,584,534 30,528
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina 4,581,239 51,197
European Union Bulgaria Bulgaria 7,679,290 110,912
Croatia Croatia 4,453,500 56,542
European Union Cyprus Cyprus 766,400 9,251
European Union Czech Republic Czech Republic 10,306,709 78,866
European Union Denmark Denmark 5,457,415 43,094
Egypt Egypt 80,335,036 980,869
European Union Estonia Estonia 1,342,409 45,226
European Union Finland Finland 5,289,128 338,145
European Union France France 63,392,140 674,843
European Union Germany Germany 82,314,906 357,050
European Union Greece Greece 11,125,179 131,990
European Union Hungary Hungary 10,066,158 93,030
European Union Republic of Ireland Ireland 4,239,848 70,273
Israel Israel 7,184,000 20,770
European Union Italy Italy 59,131,287 301,318
Jordan Jordan 5,924,000 89,342
European Union Latvia Latvia 2,281,305 64,589
Lebanon Lebanon 4,099,000 10,452
European Union Lithuania Lithuania 3,373,991 65,303
European Union Luxembourg Luxembourg 476,200 2,586
European Union Malta Malta 404,962 316
Mauritania Mauritania 3,069,000 1,030,700
Monaco Monaco 32,671 1.95
Montenegro Montenegro 678,177 13,812
Morocco Morocco 33,757,175 446,550
European Union Netherlands Netherlands 16,372,715 41,526
State of Palestine Palestinian territories[17] 3,800,000 6,020
European Union Poland Poland 38,116,486 312,683
European Union Portugal Portugal 10,599,095 92,391
European Union Romania Romania 21,565,119 238,391
European Union Slovakia Slovakia 5,396,168 49,037
European Union Slovenia Slovenia 2,013,597 20,273
European Union Spain Spain 45,116,894 506,030
European Union Sweden Sweden 9,142,817 449,964
Syria Syria 20,314,747 185,180
Tunisia Tunisia 10,102,000 163,610
Turkey Turkey 70,586,256 783,562
European Union United Kingdom United Kingdom 60,587,300 244,820
Flag State with observer status Population Area
km²
Libya Libya 6,036,914 1,759,540

Reactions

Arab League

Main article: Foreign relations of the Arab League

With a population of 187,600,088 the Arab States make up 25% of the total population of the Union, with several stances for and against the Union.

Morocco[18] and Tunisia[19] have supported the proposal.[9]

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 the Libyan government believes it to be a mistake by France to publicize this project before considering the opinions of the countries of North Africa, while calling attention to the concerns of Qaddafi that France is imposing hegemony over the countries of the Arab Maghreb Union under the guise of Mediterranean cooperation.[20][21]

On 11 June 2008 Syria, Egypt, Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia met in Tripoli to discuss the inclusion of other Arab League members, in response to the German lobbying to include all of the EU.[22] During the French president's visit to Lebanon, the Lebanese president Michel Suleiman announced publicly that Lebanon supports the proposed union.

On 12 July 2008, the Arab states held a small meeting in Paris with the Arab Secretary general to discuss some proposals related to the MU articles and acts. The Arab League's official reaction to the Union was sceptical. Secretary General Amr Moussa suggested that regional problems in the Middle East must be considered before any form of the Mediterranean Union could proceed; for example the creation of the Middle East as a Nuclear weapons free zone, including nations such as Israel and Iran. Calls were also made for Israel to apply and respond to rulings under international laws against the country, such as about 70 UN resolutions in the past 60 years.

A summit expected to be held on 13 July will include heads of all Arab-Mediterranean countries (including Jordan and Mauritania) excepting Muammar al-Gaddafi and the King of Morocco.

European Union

The project is supported by Spain,[23] Italy,[16] and Greece.[24] 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.[25][12]

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.[26] 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."[25] When Slovenia took the EU presidency in 2008, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša 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."[27]

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, reaffirming his opinion of Malta's importance 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.[28]

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 until 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.[14]

East Mediterranean

The Israeli president Shimon Peres views Sarkozy's suggestion very positively [29], but Turkey rejected the proposal as an alternative to EU membership. [10] 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.[4]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mediterranean Union.

References

  1. ^ AFP. Retrieved from http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5izRK5FIbgFbZQ4wW7XxueUTsH4wQ.
  2. ^ a b Vucheva, Elitsa (2008-02-27) France says it has no preferred EU president candidate, EU Observer
  3. ^ a b Sarkozy sounds out basis for Mediterranean Union Euractiv.com 2007-07-16. Accessed 2007-07-19.
  4. ^ a b c d e Turkey, reassured on EU, backs 'Club Med' plan, The Guardian 4 March 2008
  5. ^ Sarkozy: "Turkey could be the backbone of a Mediterranean Union" Turkish Press Review 08/02/07
  6. ^ Sparks Expected to Fly Whoever Becomes France's President DW World 2007-02-13
  7. ^ Royal v Sarkozy: The policies BBC News 15/02/07
  8. ^ Roundup: French presidential hopeful Sarkozy presents vision on foreign policy People's Daily 02/03/07
  9. ^ a b c d e f Sarkozy's proposal for Mediterranean bloc makes waves International Herald Tribune 10/05/07
  10. ^ a b c Turkey angered by Sarkozy 'Mediterranean Union' idea EU Observer 18/05/07
  11. ^ We are ready to create a Mediterranean Union Le Figaro 31/05/07
  12. ^ a b c d Goldirova, Renata (2007-10-25) France muddies waters with 'Mediterranean Union' idea, EU Observer
  13. ^ Behr, Timo and Ruth Hanau Santini (2007-11-12) Comment: Sarkozy's Mediterranean union plans should worry Brussels, EU Observer
  14. ^ a b c Mahony, Honor (2008-02-25) Franco-German summit postponed amidst speculation of rift, EU Observer
  15. ^ Balmer, Crispian (2008-03-04) [http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL04928348.html Sarkozy's Med dream deflated by Germany], Reuters
  16. ^ a b Mediterranean Union project is core of Franco-Italian Abhaber (on Google Caché) 01/06/07
  17. ^ Is not a recognised state, claimed by Israel, and the Gaza Strip is now outside the control of the Authority.
  18. ^ Morocco 'to strongly adhere to Mr. Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union Initiative,' Minister Maghreb Arabe Presse 06/07/07
  19. ^ Tunisia 'enthusiastic' on Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union, Tocqueville Connection, July 9, 2007
  20. ^ Template:Ar iconليبيا تسعى لمحاصرة مشروع ساراكوزي المتوسطي- Libya Seeks to Besiege Sarkozy's Mediterranean Project ليبيااليوم - Libya Alyoum, 14 July 2007
  21. ^ Template:Fr iconLe projet d'union méditerranéenne au centre de discussions tuniso-libyennes, Le Monde, 9 July 2007
  22. ^ "Defining a better Mediterranean union". Retrieved 2008-07-16.
  23. ^ Spanish PM backs French plan for 'Mediterranean Union' French News 31/05/07
  24. ^ Sarkozy Karamanlis talks
  25. ^ a b Mahony, Honor (2007-12-06) Merkel criticises Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union plans, EU Observer
  26. ^ Germany cautious on Sarkozy's Mediterranean bloc plan, EU Business, July 5, 2007
  27. ^ Keller, Caroline (2008-01-17) Slovenia criticises French Mediterranean Union proposal, EU Observer
  28. ^ MaltaToday
  29. ^ [http://www.ejpress.org/article/16567 Mediterranean Union: <EJP 07/05/07
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