The European Union's Engagement with the Southern Mediterranean

"As all eyes turn to Ukraine, Amadio Viceré and Venneri's book is a timely reminder that the Southern Neighbourhood is a major area of strategic concern and that the EU has many more instruments than warfighting to build and maintain relationships."

- Erik Jones, Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, EUI, Italy.

"Amadio Viceré and Venneri's book is a must read for all those wishing to understand the complex internal-external interplay that determines the EU's approach to the Southern Mediterranean."

- Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, Italy. Former Special Advisor to the HR/VP Mogherini.

This book addresses the EU's engagement with the Southern Mediterranean. It examines the involvement of EU institutions in member states' approach to relevant policy issues within the European Neighbourhood Policy, and how such involvement affects the EU's overall cooperation with countries in the Southern Mediterranean region. In particular, the book offers an assessment of the nature and development of integration in the EU's approach to trade and economic development, energy security, counterterrorism, irregular migration and asylum, and maritime security. In doing so, it not only provides a precise and thorough overview of the institutional practices underpinning the EU's engagement with the Southern Mediterranean, but also sheds light on the EU's evolution beyond the regulatory polity model.

Maria Giulia Amadio Viceré is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute, Italy. She is also Adjunct Professor at LUISS University in Rome, where she teaches Political Science and EU Neighbourhood Policies and Migration.

Giulio Venneri is a European Union official, serving at the European Commission, General Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations. He is also Adjunct Professor at the School of Government at LUISS University in Rome, and policy lab coordinator at the School of Social Science, University of Westminster, UK. The views expressed in this book are only his and are not intended to reflect the views or positions of the European Commission.