Spain's Mediterranean Policy: between the Barcelona Process and the European Neighbourhood Policy

This article analyses the evolution of Spain's position with respect to the two main cooperation initiatives in the Mediterranean space: the Barcelona Process and the European Neighbourhood Policy. Firstly, it shows Spain's role as a driving force, both in the launching of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in 1995 and in the impetus provided 10 years later by the holding of the extraordinary Euro-Mediterranean Summit. Secondly, the article examines the progressive adaptation of Spain's discourse towards the European Neighbourhood Policy, trying to maximise Spain's preferences with respect to its neighbours without this endangering the survival of the Barcelona Process. Finally, the authors identify some of the proposals recently set forth for Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, such as the Advanced Statute for Morocco and the French proposal of the Mediterranean Union. In the light of these possible future scenarios, Spanish diplomacy must guarantee its influence within the EU's Mediterranean policy.