ABSTRACT
Developments around the Mediterranean area in the post-Cold War years have underlined the fundamental fact that this geo-strategic location continues to be dominated by a mosaic of distinct sub-regional constellations, each evolving according to their own indigenous pattern of relations. The European Union (EU) has an opportunity to further strengthen its external relations in the Mediterranean by strengthening its ties with the three European Union Mediterranean candidates of Malta, Cyprus and Turkey Relations with the three countries are currently proceeding at different levels and different speeds. The positive steps registered between the Palestinian Authority and Israel during the Euro-Mediterranean conference in Malta in April 1997 and thereafter shed light on the positive influence the European Union can have on the outcome of regional relations. Free trade between Mediterranean countries and the EU opens the way for free trade among the Mediterranean countries themselves.
