Publication

This paper examines why the southern part of the Mediterranean has been high on the EU security agenda since 11 September 2001. The author discusses the development of the EU's security policy towards the Mediterranean region in general, and the Arab countries of this region in particular. The paper explains that the EU's policies have been shaped by a difficult balancing act in attempting to export European values while respecting Arab sovereignty, and in attempting to maintain regional political stability while also effectively countering terrorist threats.