The global Mediterranean policy: The evolution of the European Union-Mediterranean countries relations during 1976--1998

This study examined the changing nature of the European Union's (EU) relationship with the non-member Mediterranean basin countries (NMBCs) between 1976 and 1998 from the perspective of two agreements, the Global. Mediterranean Policy (GMP) and the Barcelona Declaration. The research had two objectives: First, to determine extent to which the NMBCs are export-dependent; and second, to establish whether the relationship can be described as interdependent within the context of immigration.; Two methods were employed for empirical analysis: (1) A computation of total NMBC exports to the EU as a ratio of their total exports globally to determine the degree of NMBC export dependence; and (2) Application of the modified Gravity Model to determine the variables that drive NMBC exports to the EU. In all, NMBC export ratios to the EU remained stable, with no sharp fluctuations. The trendline of the exports curve was almost flat and remained above the 0.5 on the ratio scale throughout. The ratios also revealed that the Maghreb nations (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) export ratios were among the highest. On the other hand, the regression analyses confirm the hypothesis that the 1981 EU enlargement (the admission of Greece) decreased NMBC exports to Italy and Germany but induced exports to France and the UK. Furthermore, evidence supports the claim that the 1986 EU enlargement (the admission of Spain and Portugal) decreased NMBC exports to the four major EU economies, While distance had a negative influence on NMBC exports to Germany and Italy, the incidence of countries sharing common language between EU and NMBC states significantly induced exports to the UK and France. As expected, the 1990 German unification had a positive influence on NMBC exports to Germany.; The study also examined EU-NMBC immigration using a qualitative approach and found that immigration was a major source of friction in the relationship. With about 5 million NMBC citizens in the EU, immigration policy is important. There is a dichotomous perception relative to NMBC immigrants in the EU. On the one hand, NMBC migrant workers are seen to be essential in performing most of the menial and low-paying jobs in the agricultural sector. On the other, they are often blamed as scapegoats for the high crime and unemployment rates in the EU.