ABSTRACT
This chapter examines European Union (EU) policy towards these conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean and emphasizes the links between these policies and the success of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. The frequent disagreements with Israel over the Middle East peace process have never interrupted the development of ever closer economic relations between the EU and Israel. The Union is Israel's major trading partner; trade with the EU represents over 30 per cent of Israeli exports and almost 50 per cent of its imports. A role as mediator or co-sponsor of the peace process would demand a bigger commitment on the part of the EU. The EU has adopted a very passive attitude towards the ongoing crisis in Algeria. No common positions or joint actions have been adopted and only a very limited number of declarations have been issued. The chapter concludes with a call for an active EU conflict resolution policy.
