"E.C.-U.M.A.: A Greater Framework for Dialogue"

Fannin, Colleen and Lachapelle, Philippe. (1991) "E.C.-U.M.A.: A Greater Framework for Dialogue". In: UNSPECIFIED, Fairfax, Virginia. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

When one thinks of the European community (E.C.) and its relationship with the countries of North Africa, many aspects come to mind. Since the independence of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, relations have revolved around trade, the economic, social and cultural aspects of North African labor migration to the E.C., and tourism. More recently an issue on either side of the Mediterranean has been North African worry about the E.C. response to the opening up of Eastern Europe and E.C. anxiety over the North African response to the Gulf Crisis. In the long run, however, two factors will remain central to the future of E.C. - North African relations within the context of a 'New World Order: 1) trade relations and 2) the European perception of Islam as a force for change in the Maghreb. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the evolution of trade relations between the two regions to date and to show that E.C. 1992 represents the first real structural change in trade relations since Maghreb independence. Secondly, the paper will offer some observations about Islam as a social and political force having the potential to serve as a stabilizing factor in the region and thus requiring a more sophisticated understanding on the part of European interests.

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