Le responsabilità dell'Unione europea nell'area mediterranea

The present article examines the relationships between the European Union and the third States which are located in the area of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the main features of European policies towards these States and the attempt of European Union to play a role of “normative power” in this area. The article considers the situation of the Western Balkans, the participation of the European Union to peace-keeping operations in the territories of States born after the decomposition of Yugoslavia and the European strategies of neighbourhood and stabilization. Whereas the attitude of the European Union generally seems to be consistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter, as regards the Eulex mission following the declaration of independence of Kosovo the position of the European Union is judged as contrary to the Security Council resolution 1244 of 1999. The condition of Turkey is examined: Turkey’s membership application raises some problems which relate not only to the enlargement of the European Union, but even to the definition of its identity. More problems spring from the particular condition of Cyprus, which is a Member of the European Union but which is still divided in two States, after the proclamation in 1983 of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. However the most serious problem in the Mediterranean area is represented by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the European Union’s action, in spite of its efforts to contribute to a solution, so far has not appeared very effective. Finally the article deals with the European policy towards the Mediterranean Countries of Maghreb and of Mashreq, particularly the Barcelona Process, whose results are rather disappointing, and the recent initiative of President Sarkozy concerning the Union for the Mediterranean.