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The Politics of Regional Identity: Meddling with the Mediterranean

The Politics of Regional Identity: Meddling with the Mediterranean. Michelle Pace European Research Institute University of Birmingham m.pace@bham.ac.uk. Main focus. The ‘Mediterranean’ and how ‘region’ is integrated into EU foreign policy discourses & practices

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The Politics of Regional Identity: Meddling with the Mediterranean

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  1. The Politics of Regional Identity: Meddling with the Mediterranean Michelle Pace European Research Institute University of Birmingham m.pace@bham.ac.uk

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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)

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