The Priorities of Spain�s EU Presidency in the Mediterranean: Ideal and Reality

• Autores: Iván Martín
• Localización: Análisis del Real Instituto Elcano ( ARI ), ISSN-e 1696-3466, Nº. 34, 2010
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Above and beyond the developments in the disputes that are ongoing in the region, in which Spain has very limited scope for influence, Spain �is eagerly awaited� and is expected to bring the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) back on track after two years of strong leadership �often to the extent of unilateralism� from France, and unprecedented political deadlock since the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was first launched in 1995. Spain�s prestige and strategic position in the region are at stake: if Spain confines its role to simply �managing� the UfM during its term at the helm of the EU, without giving it a firm political boost based on specific proposals and initiatives, it will have let what is almost certainly a unique opportunity slip by. Its contribution could be more efficient in relation to institutional aspects or in defining and monitoring certain priority sector-specific strategies than in purely political-diplomatic matters.