H.E. Angelina Eichhorst

H.E. Jan Top Christensen

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 @ 5 pm

Issam Fares Conference Center

The Mediterranean Sea imposed continuous interaction between Arab and European countries. It started centuries ago when the Arabs spread to eastern and southern basins of the Mediterranean. These relations, however, witnessed eras of sporadic upsurge of violent rivalries, mistrust, tensions and precarious stability starting with the takeover of Spain in the 8th century, the crusaders’ wars in the 11th, the Ottomans in the 15th, and the European nations colonial policies in the 19th century. 

In an attempt to normalize the relations, the EU launched in 1995 the Euro-Med Partnership Initiative, which aimed at starting a new phase that promotes peace around the Mediterranean, establishes common area of economic and financial cooperation and enhances cultural understanding.

What is the European assessment of the Initiative 17 years later? How successful have the trade agreements between the EU and the Mediterranean been in reaching a robust and sustainable growth? What measures is the EU taking to promote democracy in their partners’ countries? What is the EU view of the Arab uprising?