Egypt and the Euro‐Mediterranean partnership: Strategic choice or adaptive mechanism?

Abstract

After the end of the cold war, Egypt began to pursue an active Euro‐Mediterranean policy. This policy was designed to minimize the risk of marginalization in view of Europe's growing emphasis on interests in eastern Europe and the Maghreb. Egypt's Euro‐Med policy was reflected in active campaigning for the establishment of a Mediterranean Forum and in negotiations with the European Union aimed at signing a Euro‐Egyptian Partnership agreement. Whereas the Mediterranean Forum has proved to be a useful mechanism to secure Egypt's continued involvement in Mediterranean affairs, the Euro‐Egyptian Partnership negotiations have been more difficult. The major stumbling block, in the Egyptian view, has been the EU determination to exclude the agricultural sector from the projected Euro‐Mediterranean free trade area. Most likely, Egypt will sign a partnership agreement with the European Union. However, the future course of the Euro‐Egyptian partnership will depend upon Egypt's ability to finalize the processes of economic and political reform, to build a domestic consensus around its Euro‐Med policy, and to reconcile its Mediterranean plans with commitments towards other regional integration projects. It will also depend on Europe's strategy regarding the structure of the free trade area, and the future of Arab‐Israeli relations.