Conclusions and Outlook

The concluding chapter synthesizes the empirical and theoretical findings presented in the book. It discusses the study’s findings on the interaction between Europe and the Mediterranean Middle East—Europe’s southern borderlands—by pointing to the plainly adverse impact of European policies on the region. This chapter also considers the book’s findings in relation to the academic literature while briefly reflecting on their comparability with other world regions. The chapter concludes by raising the question of future prospects for Europe’s relations with its southern neighbours, particularly when Europe’s diminished power of attraction, the increasingly influential position of other actors in the Middle East, and the policies and responsibilities of MENA governments themselves are taken into consideration.