ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the EU's strategic vision concerning its role in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the way the EU's regional strategy is implemented in practice. The chapter describes the development of the EU's strategy towards the MENA region and its regional priorities, as identified through its policies, documents and speeches of key officials and the way EU strategy has been implemented in practice. The chapter looks at the specific role the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) has played in managing key security challenges emanating from the EU's Southern neighbourhood, examining what CSDP can add to existing EU policy instruments. Accordingly, EU Arab League cooperation was strengthened through regular meetings at various levels, including at the level of foreign ministers. During the Libyan crisis the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a statement delegating the search for a solution to the Arab League, underscoring the latter's role in regional security.
