The European Union’s Engagement with the Southern Mediterranean

This book addresses the EU’s engagement with the Southern Mediterranean. It examines the involvement of EU institutions in member states’ approach to relevant policy issues within the European Neighbourhood Policy, and how such involvement affects the EU’s overall cooperation with countries in the Southern Mediterranean region. In particular, the book offers an assessment of the nature and development of integration in the EU’s approach to trade and economic development, energy security, counterterrorism, irregular migration and asylum, and maritime security. In doing so, it not only provides a precise and thorough overview of the institutional practices underpinning the EU’s engagement with the Southern Mediterranean, but also sheds light on the EU’s evolution beyond the regulatory polity model.

 

‘As all eyes turn to Ukraine, Amadio Vicere and Venneri’s book is a timely reminder that the Southern Neighbourhood is a major area of strategic concern and that the EU has many more instruments than warfighting to build and maintain relationships. Based on extensive interviews with key policy actors, it is an essential guide to anyone wanted to understand the EU’s geopolitical role.’

Erik Jones, Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies/European University Institute and Professor of European Studies and International Political Economy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

“The EU's relations with its neighbours is amongst the most active domains of its engagement with the wider world. Yet the form, pace and content of such engagement is part and parcel of the EU's internal dynamics. Amadio Viceré and Venneri's book is a must read for all those wishing to understand the complex internal-external interplay that determines the EU's approach to the southern Mediterranean.”

Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, Former Special Advisor to the HR/VP Mogherini

“As complex geopolitical dynamics are reshaping relations with Southern Mediterranean countries, the time is ripe to take stock of the EU’s approach to its neighbourhood. This volume offers a valuable assessment of the European Neighbourhood Policy, contributing with interesting perspectives also to the policy debate.”

Maciej Popowski, Director General of the European Commission’s DG European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. Former Acting Director General at DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations.

‘Amadio Vicere and Venneri provide a much-needed and well-researched analysis of the EU’s post-Lisbon Mediterranean Neighborhood Policy. They illuminate the impact that the EU’s Neighborhood Policy has on its member states policies in great depth across issue areas and time.’

Stephanie Hofmann, Joint Chair in International Relations at the European University Institute. Director of the Europe in the World research area at the Robert Schuman Centre

“The EU’s policy focus used to be on removing internal border between the member states. In recent years, this focus has shifted to managing external borders with non-EU states to keep war, instability, and migration out while letting trade and energy in. The European Neighborhood Policy is central to this objective. The book maps and explains its varying influence on member state policies towards Southern neighbors. Timely and highly recommended!”

Philipp Genschel, Joint Chair of Political Science at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies/European University Institute

“Relying on theoretical innovations and a wealth of fresh empirical material, this important volume intriguingly argues that the EU’s role in member states’ relations with the Southern neighbourhood has increased over time and has expanded well beyond socio-economic governance. A crucial contribution on a key area of international politics.”

Federica Bicchi, Associate Professor and Director of the European Foreign Policy Unit at the Department of International Relations of the London School of Economics

Maria Giulia Amadio Viceré is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute, Italy. She is also Adjunct Professor at LUISS University in Rome, where she teaches Political Science and EU Neighbourhood Policies and Migration.

 

Giulio Venneri is a European Union official, serving at the European Commission, General Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations. He is also Adjunct Professor at the School of Government at LUISS University in Rome, and policy lab coordinator at the School of Social Science, University of Westminster, UK. The views expressed in this book are only his and are not intended to reflect the views or positions of the European Commission.