Member State input into EU Policy: The case of France, Spain and the Mediterranean Policy

(Mireia Delgado, University of Liverpool)

The concepts of power and influence have always been present when studying International Relations. During centuries, political thinkers have reflected on the centrality of the State, but in the last decades, the world has become smaller and the context in which different actors play their roles is increasingly complex. Notwithstanding these developments and accepting the intricacy of the new world organization, the State remains the main unit when talking about International Relations; and the European Union, despite its idiosyncrasy, is no exception. However, owing to the fact that the assumptions of Realism have been losing support, there has been little research on the strategies pursued by EU Member States in order to avoid losing influence and, if possible, increase their weight within the Union. This paper will compare the cases of France and Spain to see how they project influence through the Mediterranean policy-making of the European Union and the impact that the EU has had on their own approaches to Mediterranean policy. The Union may be seen as an opportunity to strengthen their position in relation to a region of special interest for them: by achieving greater influence within the EU, the state may be able to enhance the promotion of its own interests more effectively, in the case of the Mediterranean basin.