Security Challenges in the Mediterranean Region by Roberto Aliboni George Joffe Tim Niblock

Author:Roberto Aliboni, George Joffe, Tim Niblock [Roberto Aliboni, George Joffe, Tim Niblock]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Security, History, Military
ISBN: 9781136306792
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2013-04-03T04:00:00+00:00

Models of co-operation

The search for models on which co-operation can be based has already begun and is a source of much controversy. It is, however, abundantly clear that any approach which does not emphasise mutual advantages and partnership based on fairness and equal rights between partners is doomed to failure.

The creation of the European Common Market and its evolution towards a Union has fascinated many observers, some of whom place their hopes in a similar process occurring among Arab countries in the region and leading to economic union, the most optimistic commentators even including Israel in these plans. This Utopian scenario is of little help in working out when and how co-operation might be made a reality, as it treats the tensions, opposition and conflicts which must be overcome as mere abstractions. The only realistic approach is a gradual one, predicated on the search for an effective pragmatic compromise between what the economy requires and what the state of political relations allows.

The first stage must be the normalisation as far as possible of economic relations among the countries in the region. Normalisation means the establishment of regular relations between states which recognise each other's existence, acknowledge each other's borders, carry out economic, commercial and financial exchanges which reflect their needs and their respective interests and are governed by the rules and codes of conduct which are the international norm. It is clear that the process of normalisation cannot be total or immediate, given the present situation, particularly as regards Israeli-Palestinian relations. In certain cases, intra-regional relations will have the character of an exception, but it does seem useful to use the concept of normalisation to identify the main stages in building an economy based on peace. It. is essential to put an end to the state of emergency which for the last 50 years has been used to justify the most irrational economic conduct and the distortions that have cost the area so much. This normalisation must involve not only the relations between states, but must also affect the internal development of their economies, which need structural reforms and a policy of adjustment and liberalisation. It must contribute to opening up the economy, modernising management, strengthening fiscal and financial structures and achieving a state of macroeconomic balance.

It is feasible to envisage the creation or a free trade area with various possible configurations, either running parallel to this process or perhaps occurring subsequently, based on the numerous similar experiments which are taking place in other parts of the world. It is vital, however, that certain precautions be taken to ensure that trade in such an area is not dominated by a stronger partner, as might be the case with Israel in a Near East Free Trade Area. Israel's potential partners in such a scheme, Palestine and Jordan, are decidedly weaker in economic terms and as regards technological development.10 Also in a wider Middle East Free Trade Area, market forces cannot be allowed free rein:11 there must be built-in safeguards to protect

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