ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the theoretical origins and implementation of European Union (EU) sustainable development policies in the Mediterranean area, against the backdrop of both the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the increased presence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The first and second sections will tackle the issue of UN and EU actions toward Mediterranean Cooperation and their consistency with the main aspects (environmental, economic, and social) of sustainability. The third section is specifically focused on the main EU’s initiatives aimed at sustaining and strengthening economic development in the Area. The final section will describe the impact of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the Mediterranean and its reception by the EU Institutions and Member States: the competition between EU and PRC initiatives as well as the chance to find common ground and build cooperation on specific issues.
