The New EU–Arab League Dialogue: The Contours of a Cooperation

Abstract:

Relations between the European Union and the League of Arab States have seen a new impetus in recent years. A new meeting structure was adopted in 2012 and a new work programme that encompasses the fields of energy, culture, empowerment of women, legal affairs, human rights, humanitarian assistance, crisis management and electoral processes has been launched. In 2014 the parties agreed to pursue deepened institutional contacts and cooperation through an EU–LAS Strategic Dialogue to discuss regional conflicts and terrorism.

This Profile will outline the main traits of the new EU–Arab League dialogue. We note that the EU–LAS dialogue allows the EU to overcome some of the shortcomings of other frameworks of EU–Arab cooperation, although others still remain.