Does the EU have a truly comprehensive and strategic framework for its relations with its Southern Neighborhood (SN)?

Publications

17 Jun 2022

Trade & Macro

Karolina Zubel

Katarzyna Sidło

Agnieszka Kulesa

Oskar Chmiel

Karolina Zubel

Environment, Energy and Climate Change Director
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Katarzyna Sidło
Dr Katarzyna W. Sidło specializes in the political economy, geo-economics and socioeconomic development of the European Union’s Southern Neighbourhood as well as EU-Mediterranean relations. She has a proven track record working on studies, evaluations and impact assessments commissioned by various international donors such as the European Parliament, the European Commission and its various departments and agencies, … <a href="https://case-research.eu/publications/does-the-eu-have-a-truly-comprehensive-and-strategic-framework-for-its-relations-with-its-southern-neighborhood-sn-2/">Continued</a>

Articles from this author:
- Preparing for the enlargement from a territorial perspective: governance, policies and investments to ensure the role and means of LRAs in an enlarged EU
  The report examines the potential impacts of EU enlargement, focusing on Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans. It highlights the benefits of a larger internal market, increased geopolitical influence, and improved food and energy security, while also addressing the financial and policy challenges, especially in agriculture and regional development. Enlargement would require major adjustments to the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy, with Ukraine’s vast agricultural sector putting particular pressure on EU funds. Financial estimates suggest significant budget needs, leading the report to outline three scenarios: no new members until 2041, a single large expansion, or a phased approach over multiple budget cycles. The report underscores the critical role of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in managing these changes, recommending support and shared strategies to ensure a balanced, sustainable approach to EU growth.
- Tourism and rural development
  The study delves into the multifaceted impact and potential of tourism in fostering rural development across the European Union (EU). Its aim is to equip local governments with practical insights, empowering them to effectively leverage the benefits of tourism in rural EU regions. Employing a diverse array of research methodologies, including interviews, case studies, and … Continued
- Prospects of reinvigorating the Middle East Peace Process: a possible joint EU-US undertaking?
  The resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute has been an issue of strategic and common interest for the European Union (EU) and the United States (USA). The Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) was initiated through the 1991 Madrid Conference co-sponsored by the Soviet Union and the USA. … Continued
Author’s articles
Agnieszka Kulesa

Lead Social Sciences Researcher
Dr Agnieszka Kulesa is the Lead Social Sciences Researcher at CASE. She supports business development and oversees and contributes to research and analytical projects. Having joined CASE in 2018 as an economist, she served as Vice-President of the Management Board from 2021 to 2024. Agnieszka has authored or co-authored numerous publications, including peer-reviewed articles and reports for European institutions such as the European Commission (EC), the European Parliament (EP), the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

Articles from this author:
- Migrant workers coming to Poland from other European Union member states. Barriers, difficulties, and possible courses of action
- Capacity building for local and regional authorities in the light of the Ukraine Facility (Pillar III)
- Exploring the Entrepreneurial Potential of Belarusian Migrants in the EU
  This Working Paper aims to deepen the understanding of Belarusian migration to the EU, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship among Belarusian migrants.
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Oskar Chmiel

Senior Social Sciences Researcher
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Author’s articles

A new agenda for the Mediterranean: Are the EU tools and means of action up to its ambitions? A new report for the European Parliamentary Research Service by dr Katarzyna Sidło, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at CASE and Emmanuel Cohen-Hadria, Director of the Euro-Mediterranean Policies Department at IEMed.

The Southern Neighbourhood (SN) of the European Union (EU) remains in what appears to be a state of permanent turmoil. Similarly, the rift in Euro-Mediterranean relations seems to be growing, as exemplified by reactions to the Russian aggression on Ukraine across the SN region and despite a window of opportunity the pandemic offered to relaunch cooperation between both sides of the Mediterranean.

“The New Agenda for the Mediterranean introduces certain adjustments in the EU’s approach towards its Southern Neighbourhood, but much more comprehensive changes are needed to truly revitalise the relationship between the two” – dr Katarzyna Sidło, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at CASE, says.

The Joint Communication on a ‘Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood: a New Agenda for the Mediterranean’, released in February 2021 and endorsed by April 2021 Council conclusions, is an attempt at addressing both the above mentioned rift, and the multitude and magnitude of challenges facing societies and economies of the SN countries. The present study considers whether the Joint Communication is well-fitted to achieve these goals. Accordingly, it first undertakes an analysis of the geopolitical trends and megatrends, of the political, and socio-economic situation in the region, and the state of Euro-Mediterranean relations. Subsequently, it looks into the text of the Joint Communication and the accompanying Economic and Investment Plan, exploring their potential for launching a new phase in this relationship in the areas of green and digital transitions, promotion of ‘inclusiveness’, migration, trade, and peace and security. The study concludes that more than a year after its adoption, many question marks remain in relation to the implementation of the Joint Communication, and a truly comprehensive and strategic framework to guide the EU’s relations with its SN is still missing.

Watch a video presenting the study:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFDe4Gaigc/r_OqsI1jruQDWCnHlkIGUg/watch?utm_content=DAFDe4Gaigc&utm_campaign=share_your_design&utm_medium=link&utm_source=shareyourdesignpanel

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Does the EU have a truly comprehensive and strategic framework for its relations with its Southern Neighborhood (SN)?

Karolina Zubel

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Katarzyna Sidło

Articles from this author:

Agnieszka Kulesa

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Oskar Chmiel

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