Euro-Mediterranean region: Resurged geopolitical importance

Abstract

Ancient World's Geopolitical Centre, the Mediterranean region has once again a chance to conquer laurels. The Mediterranean region has a unique global position with some most remarkable geostrategic corners (the Suez Canal and Strait of Gibraltar to mention two of many). With an open access to the Black Sea, it enables Russia and other continental states to easily enter global markets. On the other hand, the Euro-Mediterranean region represents a religious, cultural and academic bridge between the Arab world, North African states and the European Union (EU). These are the reasons for the Euro-Mediterranean region still playing an important geopolitical role in the world chessboard. Unfortunately, in last decade and particularly in the last few years, world players lost the fil rouge in playing the game. The USA decided to step aside from the regional game, the EU does not have a clear vision of why this region is of crucial importance for its future development, the Arab spring shuffled geopolitical cards and thus instills bewilderment in the region and the Arab League is focusing mainly on the dialogue with its Northern African partners. The Euro-Mediterranean region offers once again a great opportunity to all regional players to build a strong and powerful region with a great economic, political and lastly intercultural and interreligious impact. In this paper, we discuss the current Euro-Mediterranean geopolitical challenges and try to examine its potentials to resurge as a strong and powerful global region. © EMUNI 2012.