MULTILATERAL DESIGNS IN THE EU'S EXTERNAL RELATIONS: THE EASTERN PARTNESHIP AND THE UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN

Abstract

Adding a regional dimension to EU cooperation with Eastern European countries corresponded to what already existed in the Mediterranean context. The
two multilateral designs complement advanced bilateral relations and bear
some resemblances, such as the ideas of variable geometry and differentiation. Nevertheless, their prospects appear to differ. While they are both recent
in time, the Union for the Mediterranean aims at resuscitating a process which
failed due to the lack of interest and antagonisms of its partners, while the
Eastern Partnership is a promising multilateral design, not the least because
of the almost unqualified support of the interested nations.