Abstract
The main objective of this dissertation is to analyze the cooperation potential and institutional feasibility of a regional integration scheme in the Mediterranean region that would follow a similar pattern as the one proposed by the Schuman Declaration on May 9th 1950, establishing energy and environment (as the new “Coal and Steel”, the sectorial pillars of an ambitious Union for the Mediterranean. The argument defended in this dissertation is that both Europe and Mediterranean countries will face either environmental hazards or energy supply concerns in the coming years. First of all, the European Union is threatened today by a growing dependence on politically risky countries for its energy imports following the decrease of Norwegian reserves. Hence, Mediterranean countries and most of all oil-rich Libya and gas producer Algeria are among the priorities on the European Union foreign policy agenda. At the same time, Mediterranean countries suffer from growing environmental stresses that prevent their economies from reaching their potential while European Union could and should strongly invest in a Green new Deal together with its Mediterranean neighbors. As Mediterranean countries experience an historical and uncertain wave of democratization, political science theories have strongly underlined the importance of economic development to sustain democracy. A Union for the Mediterranean addressing the environmental concerns that hamper such a development would therefore be a key asset in ensuring stability and freedom in the region.