Publication

This brief assesses the current level of cooperation between the EU and the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) on the fight against terrorism. Funding this effort is a priority for Brussels but 1) there is no consensus among the participating states on what constitutes the ‘right approach’; 2) the MENA governments want to minimize the counterterrorism role of civil society; and 3) they're also not too keen on the EU’s call to integrate those who are marginalized by society. So, what should Brussels do? The brief's author advocates enhancing bilateral trade relations as a first step towards stronger EU-MENA ties.