ABSTRACT
In the early 1970s, three catalysts led to the formulation of the Global Mediterranean Policy. First was the expectation that Great Britain, Ireland, and Denmark would soon join the European Economic Community (EEC). The second catalyst was the tentative nature of many of the bilateral agreements reached during the 1960s. The third catalyst was the energy crisis, which raised the spectre of future energy shortages in European nations. In addition to enlargement, the energy crisis, and the expiration of bilateral agreements, changing views on development policy fundamentally altered the context within which EEC-Third Mediterranean Countries (TMCs) agreements were concluded. The oil crisis, and the serious recession that resulted, had a twofold impact on the EEC’s Mediterranean policy. First, it diverted the Community’s attention away from the problems of the Mediterranean. Second, it diminished the amount of available assistance funds, making it difficult for the Community to fulfill the financial aid and development obligations to the TMCs.
