The Politics of Regional Identity: Meddling with the Mediterranean Michelle Pace European Research Institute University of Birmingham

Main focus The ‘Mediterranean’ and how ‘region’ is integrated into EU foreign policy discourses & practices Language approach: Med & EU perceptions on the ‘region’ & EU policy Discourse as praxis (study of practices) & structures within discourse condition possible policies

Region-formation Regions as socially constructed Processes of region-making through foreign policy practice = link to identity politics Focus on EMP/ENP through EU textual analysis + interviews (Brussels, Greece, Morocco, Malta) Perspective from Med: EMP as a manipulative tool: false calls for reform by an imperial power, MS’s own interests not those of Med partners

Perceptions Radical accounts – EMP as part of a new “guardianship/trusteeship”, a return to the colonial era (subjugated voices) “Partnership” problematic Regular markers of discourse Malta, Cyprus and Turkey in the future – helping to determine EU’s future: hence ‘understanding’ of Med attitudes important

Conceptual constellations of complex identities Linkage between EU foreign policy & politics of identity: foreign policy as a discursive activity Greece’s ambivalent relationship to Europe Malta’s eventual acceptance to integrate ‘into’ Europe Morocco’s happy acceptance as a partner

Issues raised Identity negotiations address fears of European integration project (negotiations on Turkey’s accession!) - & how these threaten a nation’s ‘cultural’ identity Persuasive power of the people vs. elitist project How do perceptions of national, regional, cultural, political etc identity impact on specific EU foreign policy decisions

Policy implications Need: convergence of perceptions around Euro-Med issues Need to focus more on political, economic, cultural, social interaction processes EMP still a good framework for regional inter-action Development of a process of learned trust & collective understandings

The role of the EU Instruments exist within Barcelona + ENP EU’s vision is clear and interests of MS are more clearly laid out in ENP: security and stability in and around the EU (political, economic and social stability) ENP offers a better framework for implementation of ‘Partnership’ – involvement of civil societies etc

Role of social communication processes Contractual aspects of EMP, ENP important BUT Cognitive and psychological aspects CRITICAL – understanding, dialogue, EU’s institutional modes of operation? All partners should in some way have clear benefits of partnership

Remaining challenges Unresolved apprehensions and misperceptions Ambiguous attitudes towards ‘elitist’ projects Clear benchmarks with monitoring and follow up mechanisms crucial (eg. Literacy rates, employment rates, etc)