Does the Barcelona Process matter?

Abstract:

This essay traces the background leading up to the EU‐Mediterranean Barcelona Declaration of 1995, describes the performance of the Process so far and gives an assessment of its prospects. It argues that the Barcelona Process is remarkably ambitious in its scope and provides a comprehensive framework for the development of relations between the European Union and the Mediterranean region. It concludes that while it is still too early to make a firm forecast of its chances of succeeding, the Process is now unlikely to collapse and could be very far‐reaching in its effect.