The Middle East is Europe’s geographical neighbour. The politics and economics of both regions are intricately linked and interconnected. From the 1970s onwards, the EEC and later EU have attempted to formulate a common approach towards the MENA region. Still, “Europe” as external actor in the Middle East has often stood, and often stands, in the shadow of other global powers such the US or Russia. So to what extent is Europe a political force actively shaping the geopolitics of the Middle East or rather just a bystander in the region? What approaches are open for the EU and its member states to engage with the MENA region? And will Brexit impact a common European policy on the Middle East? To discuss these questions, this panel brings together three senior experts on Europe and the Middle East.

Panel

Professor Nathali Tocci is director of the Italian “Istituto Affari Internazionali” (IAI), as well as special advisor to EU High Representative and Vice President of the Commission Josep Borrell.

Professor Eckart Woertz is director of the Institute for Middle East Studies at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA).

Julien Barnes-Dacey is director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

Chair: Philipp Hirsch, Centre for Geopolitics