Europe's Mediterranean Neighbourhood

Book excerpt: Illustrated with pioneering maps and country analyses by a network of researchers from across the Mediterranean, this book takes a territorial approach as a way toward a shared vision for a truly integrated Euro-Mediterranean region. At a time when the region is undergoing rapid change, the main goal of the book is to challenge misconceptions with common geographic data, on issues such as transport, energy, agriculture and water. The book suggests avenues for Europe to regain a part of the influence it has lost on its Mediterranean neighbourhood and policies common to Europe and its southern neighbours. The wide range of geographic country analyses, from Morocco to Turkey and including the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan, are complemented with new maps at the scale of the wider Euro-Mediterranean region. The contributions contend that cross-border cooperation, common transport networks and shared environmental management can foster partnership when diplomatic relations are stalling. The Gibraltar case study shows that while competition is rising between the two sides of the strait their potential complementarity is also very high. The book calls for a Euro-Mediterranean local data collaborative platform to drive a common 'Neighbourhoods Territorial Agenda' for North-South shared vision and action. This timely and enlightening book is essential reading for those studying regional, European, Mediterranean and Arab world issues. It will appeal to policymakers and actors involved in cross-border cooperation, territorial development, environment, cultural knowledge and networking. Contributors include: M. Ababsa, P. Beckouche, N. Ben Cheikh, P. Besnard, Y. Cohen, G. Faour, J. Hilal, O. Isik, E. Larrea, J.-Y. Moisseron, Z. Ouadah-Bedidi, D. Pages El Karoui, H. Pecout, R. Tabib, A. Ulied, G. Van Hamme, I. Zboun