What are the advantages of the Mediterranean Union?

The new plans for a Mediterranean Union have prevented a major dispute within the EU, writes Peter Winkler, but the question of why the Barcelona Process - which was supposed to strengthen cooperation with the countries bordering on the Mediterranean - was so unsuccessful was never mentioned during the discussion. "This would have raised awkward issues, such as the fact that some of the addressees are at war with each other, and others, while shying away from this last step, nonetheless have extremely difficult relations with their neighbours. Naturally the EU's influence is based on the 'soft power' of money as opposed to military power, for example. But Sarkozy, too, should have noticed that in recent years the interest of the Mediterranean states in the EU's offers of billions has dwindled. Instead of thinking up new ways for throwing billions of euros southwards across the Mediterranean, the causes for this lack of interest should be examined."

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