Security-Democracy Dilemma in European Union’s Policy Towards the Southern Mediterranean: Institutional Initiatives After the Arab Spring

Abstract

European Union (EU) was surprised with the anti-governmental uprisings started in the Arab world at the end of 2010 like the other international actors. Political transformations in the region led the EU to redefine its long-rooted relations particularly with the Mediterranean states of the Middle East that is supported by institutional cooperation. EU officials introduced new initiatives to support the political dimension of the relations and to contribute to the “democratization” of the region after expressing that the policies they have pursued towards the Southern Mediterranean which mainly focused on security and economics failed. However, due to the new security threats in the Middle East and rising migration rates after the Arab Spring, the EU's Southern Mediterranean policy is still considered to be security-focused and not yet capable of providing a paradigm shift.

Avrupa Birliği’nin Güney Akdeniz Politikasında Güvenlik-Demokrasi İkilemi: Arap Baharı Sonrası Kurumsal Girişimler

Abstract

Avrupa Birliği (AB), 2010 yılı sonunda Arap dünyasında başlayan hükümet karşıtı ayaklanmalara, diğer uluslararası aktörler gibi hazırlıksız yakalanmıştır. Bölgedeki siyasi dönüşümler, AB’nin, özellikle Akdeniz’e kıyısı olan Ortadoğu ülkeleriyle uzun yıllara dayanan ve kurumsal işbirliği ile desteklenen ilişkilerini yeniden tanımlamasına yol açmıştır. Güney Akdeniz’e yönelik olarak izledikleri politikanın başarısız olduğunu ifade eden AB yetkilileri, bugüne kadar güvenlik ve ekonomik odaklı olan ilişkilerin siyasi ayağını güçlendirme ve bölgenin “demokratikleşmesine” destek olmak amacıyla yeni girişimlerde bulunmuşlardır. Ancak, Arap Baharı sonrasında Ortadoğu’da oluşan yeni güvenlik tehditleri ve artan göç oranları nedeniyle, AB’nin Güney Akdeniz politikasının halen güvenlik odaklı olduğu ve henüz bir paradigma değişikliği sağlayamadığı değerlendirilmektedir.

Keywords

• Avrupa Birliği,Güney Akdeniz,Arap Baharı,güvenlik

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