MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work

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Figure 1.4: The countries of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
In such a global and inter-regional context, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership has
become of interest to academics, leading many scholars to closely and critically
monitor the major challenges and opportunities that the Partnership has created. In
general, these scholars could be split into two camps, optimists and pessimists.
Some of the optimist camp claim that the Barcelona process and the agreements
signed consist of innovative structural and functional elements for inter-regional
co-operation, such as the three-basket approach (the three chapters of the Partnership).
It is argued that, contrary to previous European approaches, Euro-Mediterranean
relations after 1995 are not only based on lasting multilateralism but also on reciprocity,
political dialogue, gradual (albeit controlled) politico-economic liberalisation, respect
for diversity and political pluralism. 59 In terms of economic conditions, it is argued
that, as the partner countries restructure and liberalise, foreign and domestic investment
will fuel new industries and replace lost employment; productivity and investment
will be affected, 60 and investment growth would lead to job creation and a rise in the
standard of living. 61 Such an economic improvement is expected to reinforce the stability
of the region and in turn the stability of the EU.
The pessimists focus on the limited achievements of the process and on the challenges
that have come from both the international context and Partnership’s own development.
One weakness of the Partnership is seen as the lack of trans-Atlantic co-ordination
and common understanding in dealing with regions to the south of Europe 62 and the
lack of balance between its participants. 63 This refers to an asymmetry between the
EU and the Mediterranean countries, so-called North and South, in institutional
terms. The EU is a clearly defined actor but the Mediterranean is notable for the lack of
T-Kit No.11 - MOSAIC - The training kit for Euro-Mediterranean youth work