Euro-Mediterranean relations: the case for a horizontal partnership

This study underlines that the Mediterranean is an unstable and rapidly changing space. On the one hand, it is suffering the consequences of the growing polarization of development around Central Europe and, on the other, of the major differences that only serve to fragment the region. Different levels of development accentuate the imbalances that exist in and between the regions of the European Union and encourage the spread of instability in the non-EU countries of the Mediterranean basin, as well as the demand of some of these countries for most favoured nation status in their relations with the European Union. This research particularly highlights the need to ensure that the Mediterranean policy of the Union becomes more adequate to the new conditions of development of the Arab economies.