Author (Person) | Selleslaghs, Joren |
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Publisher | College of Europe |
Series Title | Bruges Regional Integration & Global Governance Papers |
Series Details | No.4, December 2014 |
Publication Date | December 2014 |
Content Type | Journal | Series | Blog |
Abstract: This paper adopts an ‘outside-in approach’ and explores what the southern neighborhood countries believe the EU should be or do. On the basis of a set of 15 interviews with diplomats from the region and an analysis of 50 newspaper articles from the region on the EU’s relations with its southern neighborhood, this paper seeks to reveal the EU’s real ’added value’ for its southern Mediterranean partners. To what extent does the EU’s own perceived role in its southern neighborhood match the role conception of those countries? Based on the three case studies of Algeria, Jordan and Egypt, the paper finds that there is a clear divergence in role conceptions between the EU and its southern partners. While the EU sees itself as a ‘force for good’ and promoter of norms and democracy in the southern Mediterranean region, the three countries primarily believe that the EU perceives itself foremost as a provider of security and stability in the region, while they primarily expect it to act as a reliable partner for economic cooperation. |
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Source Link | Link to Main Source https://www.coleurope.eu/system/files_force/research-paper/brigg_4_2014_selleslaghs.pdf |
Related Links |
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Countries / Regions | Eastern Europe, Europe, Middle East, Northern Africa |