The Euro-Mediterranean region: human mobility and sustainable development

Abstract

The Euro-Mediterranean region represents an area of possible collaboration, but also of possible conflict, between EU nations and countries in the Mediterranean region that are not EU members. The reasons for effective cooperation have been evident for decades, and may be summarised as follows: increased trading and economic assistance in exchange for lasting peace. Over the years we have also begun to realise that the environment and cultural heritage of the Mediterranean need to be protected, also in the interest of EU countries with no direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. Covid-19 and the measures introduced to combat it are changing many of the ways our societies work. Human mobility, for example, in the form of migrant and tourist flows, is being transformed from a global phenomenon to a proximity relationship. The concept of proximity is still being defined. The Mediterranean may well be considered, in the near future, as an area of enhanced accessibility for all EU countries.