The Euro-Mediterranian Partnership: An Overview

Less than five months ago, the European Union (EU) enlarged with ten new member states to the East and the South. This, the fifth enlargement of the EU, was the biggest ever. The EU grew by 23% in size, 19% in population and close to 6% in economic terms. The European Union is now 25 countries and 453 million people strong. We have new neighbours to the east and come closer to our neighbours on the other side of the Mediterranean. This is in turn is having substantial effects on the way the enlarged EU relates to the rest of ther world, especially our immediate neighbours, from Russia to Morocco. My discussion focuses on three issues: the evolution of the EU-Mediterranean partnership over time, the concept and content of the new European Neighbourhood Policy following EU enlargement, and the impact and opportunities this new policy brings for our African partners, within the framework of Africa's own strategy: New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).