The State of Europe

Abstract

• The majority of respondents believe that the EU is in worse shape than in 1995. • Respondents from the EU are more inclined than their Southern Mediterranean counterparts to assess that the situation of the EU has deteriorated since 1995. • Internal phenomena (and in particular populism and nationalism) rather than external phenomena threaten the European integration process. • Inner divisions on key issues and re-bilateralisation of relations are the most significant factors affecting the credibility of the EU in the Mediterranean. Respondents from Southern Mediterranean countries are more prone than European respondents to identify the EU’s weak role in conflict zones as a factor affecting the EU’s credibility. • Overall, the EU is not seen as contributing to the instability of the SEM region in comparison with other countries. The USA is identified as the most disruptive foreign player. • However, some dynamics within the EU or some of its actions can have negative effects on the stability of its southern neighbourhood, in particular “Securitisation of migration policies”. For SEM respondents “Military interventions from some EU member states” are the main destabilising factor while for EU respondents “Securitisation of migration policies” comes first.