Talk:Union for the Mediterranean

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[edit] Possible Mauritanian Membership?

Granted pretty much all of this is pure speculation because very little has yet to come out on any hypothetical Mediterranean Union, but couldn't Mauritiania possibly become a member? It has strong ties to the other Maghreb countries and is very involved in the problem of illegal migration which presumably would be at the center of MU activities. Nicolasdz 17:08, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

Well Mauritiania isn't on the med rim, although Jordan isn't either. If you can find something that mentiones it in connection with the MedU then yes. When it comes down to it Mauritiania may well be allowed to join for political reasons, but I think think Sarkozy is thinking along those lines, its more strategic med stuff, like immigration control, which Mau isn't so connected to. - J Logan t/c: 18:38, 2 June 2007 (UTC)
If Sarkozy wants to deal with immigration effectively, which is something Spain will likely expect to see, Mauritania will be part of the MU. Since nothing official has yet been proposed by Sarkozy, I think that looking at NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue provides a good list of countries to consider for membership, and that list includes Mauritania. Merlin0085 13:51, 5 June 2007 (UTC)
We have had names mentioned before, look at a few of the articles, I think the IHT had most. - J Logan t/c: 14:35, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] German Reaction

If anyone can find an official German response to the proposal, please reference it in the article. I've looked, but all I can find in English are private denunciations (I don't speak German). Nicolasdz 17:08, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

Why Germany exactly? I can't see anything myself, I don't think the presidency has commented. There may be something once a more detailed proposal is put on the table, often they don't like commenting on speculation. Unless of course it is directed at you, like with Turkey. - J Logan t/c: 18:38, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Lybian reaction

I couldn't find anything about Kadhafi being "outraged" about this proposal, but I found some references for the visit in Tunisia and Algeria. Kromsson 19:46, 12 July 2007 (UTC)

The part about "outraged Libya" was added by User:Hakeem.gadi. Maybe we should ask him. Sijo Ripa 20:22, 12 July 2007 (UTC)
I couldn't find it either, I've left a note on his talk page. - J Logan t/c: 11:17, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Balkans?

Why aren't the countries boardering the Adriatic sea possible members? Aaker 09:41, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Sarkozy didn't tell everything, but I think this is because of the relative instability of this region. Kromsson 11:03, 28 July 2007 (UTC)
ALso I think it is generaly to do with the issues it will cover, migration for example is between north africa and southern EU, they don't waste much time going up the Adriatic to live in Bosnia. - J Logan t: 11:47, 28 July 2007 (UTC)
The Western Balkan states are all considered potential EU members by the EU or are already negotiating their entry. Including them into this much looser ME might have been understood as a signal that the EU attempts to lessen their status. Their priority is membership; afterwards they will be automatically part of this new club. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.96.30.117 (talk) 10:08, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] EU Union

after reading the article i sensed that the Mediteranean Union is a European Union organization that has invited in some of its ousthern neighbors, i think it is neccessary to keep the EU out of this article, or perhaps include a section for its role in the Creation of the Mediteranean Union, i dont find any mentioning the Arab League!!

it has nothing to do with the other leagues and Unions..


The whole thing is based upon the idea of the EU and the politics of the EU not extending to Turkey etc. Further more it is the southern EU countries, not European as a whole, who are connected to the project. The EU is only mentioned in here where relevant I'd like to point out, e.g. reasons for Sarkozy's suggestion, comparison as it is based on it and where the EU is already involved (e.g. Barcelona). - J Logan t: 16:18, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
You know, there should be infomation found to see if all this idea is just a way of a Christian Europe trying to shun Muslim Turkey from the European Union, offering them something worth dirt in return. For all their talk on tolerance, they seem to hate and fear Muslims, and are very hypocritical. In this way, the US is better, because unless you live in Northern Europe, if you are a Muslim, you are likely going to treated badly. That begs the question though, because Bosnia is majority Muslim, will they ever be able to join the EU.--Lionheart Omega 23:53, 5 October 2007 (UTC)
Bosnia has been promised membership along with the rest of the Western Balkans, including Albania which is majority Muslim. Plus Europe acted with the US in the defence of Muslims in both Bosnia and Kosovo against Christians. I think you are overplaying the religion point here, particuarly as a) Europe has come this far in letting Turkey join (if they didn't want them, why start negotiations) and b) most of Europe is secular now anyway. Yes there is discrimination, but not on the level you are seaking of. On data though, there are loads of analyasis around based on rejecting Turky's membership but last time I looked there hasn't been much on the MedU yet, still theory. - J Logan t: 07:59, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

As I can see things from Switzerland, the Mediterranean Union's major purpose is to boost northern africa's developpement, and maybe more, as Israel announced it was interested in the project. The thing with Turkey is more like a promise from Sarkozy to the racist part of his electorate, negociations between EU and Turkey didn't stop (nobody else than Sarkozy thought of the Mediterranean Union as a way to keep Turkey out of EU, seems to me.) Whatsoever, we should find some sources for all that stuff, instead of using Wikipedia as a forum. Kromsson 12:01, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

At the very least then, Turkey will not get into the EU until Mr. Karcher leaves office.--Lionheart Omega 23:47, 6 October 2007 (UTC)
Why do you say that? AKP is pro-European and is supported by Brussels. It is the military which opposes him and the military - guardian of the secular state - is opposed by Brussels as an anti-democratic influence. Pressure from Brussels is the main reason their powers and influence have been curbed. (I know I know not a form, but I'm in politics, I live of discussion - report me) - J Logan t: 08:51, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Turkey belongs to the north

Hello

Turkey belongs to the north side of the mediterranean sea, you only have to see a map.

ciao! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.136.83.185 (talk) 18:50, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

Could still say south of Europe, can also be used in the IR sense. Its only on usage anyway, better word to cover that?- J Logan t: 17:16, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Portugal?

What does Portugal have to do with the Mediterranean Sea? Does anyone know why an Atlantic country have been included in this supranational organization? --83.45.180.18 (talk) 13:08, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

geo-politics is more politics than geography, its southern Europe - good enough. This isn't an issue for the article though, perhaps you should email Sarko.- J Logan t: 17:16, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] French Political Hypocrisy and Turkey

Sarkozy promised his electorate base to prevent Turkey's EU membership and came up with an imaginary union of mediterranean countries. Turkey clearly stated that it will not be part of any such union, as a blow to Sarkozy's wet dream. Additionally, Sarkozy has visions of using the prospective Mediterranean Union as a tool to dominate the internal politics of former colonies of France, namely Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. With Maghreb states being independent and not given any hopes to join EU, France lost most of its political leverage on the governments of these three states for decades. Sarkozy's Napoleonic visions of gaining control over former imperial territory and vsions of fulfilling his promise to keep Turkey out of EU in order to ride the ultranationalist/racist wave rising in France, brought the Mediterranean Union idea into French politics as a very useful concept. Due to lack genuine support, on the part of France, to bring together Mediterranean countries on a level platform where collaborations can be forged and problems can be discussed, this idea is seen as a result of French political hypocrisy and a mere annoyance rather than an attractive proposal in Turkey. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.12.172.231 (talk) 17:36, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Gibraltar?

Does anyone with sufficient knowledge on the subject know if Gibraltar will have any involvement in the MU? It doesn't really say much in the article. Thanks. --Gibmetal 77talk 13:59, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

Read nothing on it, personal opinion would be not - although geographically in the right place it is of minor political importance so I'd doubt it - as I'm sure you know logical things like geography really don't come into politics.- J Logan t: 17:41, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
Thanks for your reply. I would have thought it would be of importance when it comes to maritime affairs and trade. In my opinion, politics doesn't have much logic most of the time ;o) --Gibmetal 77talk 12:42, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Turkey is not an ENP country!

Contrary to popular blief, Turkey is NOT an ENP country according to EU's official website:

http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/documents_en.htm#2


Therefore i have edited this out! It is an EU candidate and a part of the Barcelona process. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.68.140.116 (talk) 19:16, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Plan not abandoned, it's the only thing Turkey will get

According to the following Euronews article, this plan will go on and will be the only thing Turkey will get for now until they liberate Cyprus: http://www.euronews.net/index.php?page=europa&article=475238&lng=1

I proceed to remove the 'abandoned' text and specify the reasons. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.219.85.234 (talk) 02:39, 16 March 2008 (UTC)


I just clicked on the link you provided! - it mentions nothing about cyprus, or that its the only thing turkey will get until it leaves cyprus!? I believe this is your personal view, and should be edited out!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.215.178.83 (talk) 02:14, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

I agree : this link don't back up the "plan to leave Turkey out of EU." It only mentionned that Turkey will support the Mediterranean Union only if it is not an alternative to EU. Kromsson (talk) 11:35, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Mediterranean countries and territories not mentioned

What ever happened to the section that mentioned these and briefly explained why they were not (at least for the time being) included to be part of the Union. Such places like Monaco, Gibraltar, the Balkans. I think it's important to mention these in the article to avoid confusion. --Gibmetal 77talk 11:18, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Relationship with Euromediterranean Partnership

Whilst this was orginally proposed by Sarkozy as a separate organisation to the Barcelona Process it now looks to be fully integrated with that. Therefore, should these two articles be merged together? AndrewRT(Talk) 21:43, 31 May 2008 (UTC)