past and future problems of cross-mediterranean relations: a european perspective birzeit,...
TRANSCRIPT
Past and Future Problems of Cross-Mediterranean Relations:
A European Perspective
Birzeit, Palestine, November 3, 2011
Dr. Martin Beck KAS Amman
Resident Representative
PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS OF CROSS-MEDI TERRANEAN RELATI ONS:
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTI VE
Content
1. The European approach towards the Middle East after World War II
2. Why did EU policies towards the Middle East not match the ideals of a Civilian Power until the Arab Spring?
3. Indicators that the EU will improve its role as a Civilian Power in the light of the Arab Spring
4. Indicators that the EU is going to fail to act as a Civilian Power in the Middle East
5. Conclusion
PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS OF CROSS-MEDI TERRANEAN RELATI ONS:
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTI VE
1. The European Approach towards the Middle East after World War II
• Until the 1950/60s: European states as imperialist powers
• EU and its approach to act as a Civilian Power- The aspirations of a Civilian Power are based on D. Senghaas‘ idea of the „civilizational hexagon.“ Accordingly, the foreign policy of a civilizational power seeks „effective control of private violence through the monopolization of force; a culture of non-violent resolution of political disputes; rule of law; development of social division of labour and institutions; participation in decision making by those affected by them; and social justice“ (H.W. Maull)
• A brief assessment of the past:- 1970: European Political Cooperation- 1980: Declaration of the Venice Summit- 1993: Oslo Peace Process- 1995: Barcelona Process- 2008: Union for the Mediterranean
PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS OF CROSS-MEDI TERRANEAN RELATI ONS:
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTI VE 2. Why did EU policies towards the Middle East not match the ideals of
a Civilian Power until the Arab Spring?
2.1 Hostile international environment- special relationship between the U.S. and Israel (plus Saudi Arabia)
2.2 Hostile context of the Middle East- authoritarian regimes
2.3 Home-grown problems of the EU- Cross-Mediterranean Relations as Pro-Israeli Relations- Cross-Mediterranean Relations as Trans-Atlantic Relations- limited investment of power capabilities- unsolved dilemma between democratisation and stabilisation - Vision of Democratic Peace vs. the „Principle“ of „God bless us with democracy but spare us from democratisation“- inefficient institutional setting
PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS OF CROSS-MEDI TERRANEAN RELATI ONS:
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTI VE 3. Indicators that the EU will improve its role as a Civilian Power in the
light of the Arab Spring
3.1 Improvement of the international environment- declining role of the U.S. in the Middle East
3.2 Improvement of the regional context- liberalisation/democratisation as a result of the Arab Spring
3.3 New directions taken by the EU in 2011- Barroso‘s awareness of the dilemma between democratisation and stabilisation; democratisation as a difficult long-term process- additional financial commitments- termination of the old EU approach of „one size fits all“- strengthening of relations with the Arab civil society
PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS OF CROSS-MEDI TERRANEAN RELATI ONS:
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTI VE 4. Indicators that the EU is going to fail to act as a Civilian Power in the
Middle East
- No clear commitment to recognise Islamist governments- European immigration policy is still dominated by a security approach- Many EU policies towards the Arab World are still tailored as if there were a
membership perspective- The new concept „more for more“ is still vague- The approach to strengthen the relations with the civil society by founding a
„European Endowment for Democracy“ is problematic- Failure to Recognise Palestine as a State- Unsolved problems of the past (pro-Israeli and pro-American orientation,
inefficient institutional setting)
PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS OF CROSS-MEDI TERRANEAN RELATI ONS:
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTI VE 5. Conclusion
• The heydays of Europe acting as a Civilian Power were in the 1990s
• Decline in the first decade of the 21st century
• Back to the Civilian Power Approach in the light of the Arab Spring?
- Improved international and regional conditions- Some steps in the right, as well as in the wrong direction- Crucial issues unsolved
PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS OF CROSS-MEDI TERRANEAN RELATI ONS:
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTI VE
Thank you very much for your attention.
E-Mail: [email protected]: + 962 5929777