Coherence of multi- and bilateral development co-operation in the case of Euro-Mediterranean region
15 April 2010, Ljubljana, Slovenia
The aim of the workshop is to explore on the expert level the dilemma of coherence of international development cooperation of EU and its member states in cases of institutionalized regional cooperation, where different levels of cooperation exist: EU as a partner with the regional institution, EU as a partner with the countries in the region and EU member states with the countries in a particular region. The workshop is to focus in particular on Mediterranean region and try to answer the following question: based on problematic experiences in the past, how best to combine multilateral and bilateral mechanisms of development cooperation in the Euromed area under the Union of Mediterranean, in a coherent and mutually beneficial way?
By the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership in 1995 European Union presented its political will and aid to establish a link with Euro Mediterranean countries, as well as to stabilize the area, promote economic development and prosperity in a longer term. Although the above mentioned multilateral mechanism proved to be successful in terms of joint planning, joint inter-cultural and political dialogue as well as improved cooperation, it did not came out in concrete results – no major improvements towards the goal of establishing a free trade area by 2010 or towards the implementation of Euro-Mediterranean Charter on Peace and Stability.
On the other hand, European Union, started, just after its enlargement in 2004, to broader its partnership into Eastern areas, through European neighborhood policy (ENP), which is based on bilateral political and economic instruments and included in this co-operation policy Southern Mediterranean Partners. The proposed mechanisms proved to be counterproductive due to conflicting modes of operation between the multilateral and bilateral co-operation frameworks
The question of using multilateral or bilateral mechanisms remained unresolved till June 2008, when the Union for Mediterranean was established. Thus, it is unclear how this multilateral mechanism would take forwards its priorities (de-pollution of the Mediterranean, Maritime and Land Highways, Civil Protection, Alternative Energies: Mediterranean Solar Plan, Higher Education and research: Euro-Mediterranean University as well as the Mediterranean Business Development Initiative) in the light of still existing ENP and more so, EU members states’ bilateral development co-operation agendas with Southern Mediterranean states.
Participants: around 30-40 researchers, policy makers and NGO representatives from EU and the Mediterranean region
Organizers: EADI; SLOGA, EMUNI
Time and venue: 15. April 2010, Ljubljana
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