Política i cooperació

Assessment of the Barcelona Process: From the Mediterranean Partners’ Perspective

The expectation was that the dynamics of the Barcelona Process would induce changes; the shock of competition would push the Mediterranean Partners (MPs) into modernising and would stimulate reforms.

France and Spain Bring Positions Together in the Maghreb

2004 may well go down in history as the year in which Spain and France started, albeit hesitantly, to harmonize some of their policies with regard to the Maghreb region.

Euro-Mediterranean Partnership or Euro-Arab Partnership?

In 1995, the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership first got off the ground in Barcelona. Nine years later, the project is not up there where it should be.

The Future of Turkey in Europe

The Brussels European Council decision of 17 December 2004 to begin accession negotiations with Turkey marks a watershed in the course of Turkey's relations with the EU.

Lifting of Sanctions and New Diplomatic Contacts with Libya

In September 2003, the policy of normalisation conducted by Colonel Gadhafi for four years found its expression in the lifting of the embargo imposed by the United Nations.

Evolution Not Revolution: The Barcelona Process Ten Years On

In some ways the evolution of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership can be compared to the construction of the European Union.

The European Constitution and the New Framework for European Foreign Policy

The Constitutional Treaty project formally adopted in Rome by the Heads of State and Government on 29th October 2004, establishes the dream of a political Europe.

Ankara’s Push for Reforms and EU Membership: The Transformation of Turkey’s Democracy

As promised at the 2002 Copenhagen summit, in December 2004 the European Council unanimously decided to open – subject to certain conditions – accession negotiations with Turkey.

The Arab League and the Challenge of Self-Reform

Throughout the year 2004, the Arab League invited its members to submit proposals for reforming and developing the whole Arab regional system.

The New Prospects for Spanish Development Co-operation in the Mediterranean Region

In January 2005 the new Spanish Co-operation Director Plan 2005-2008 was approved. The elaboration of the new Director Plan coincided with the beginning of this new legislature and the change in Government.

Barcelona II: Towards a Renewed Commitment?

The Barcelona Process from Naples to The Hague

The continuous and consistent pattern of Euro-Mediterranean foreign ministerial meetings throughout 2004 clearly demonstrates an increasing level of engagement between the European Union and the Mediterranean partners.