In a fascinating keynote speech and discussion delivered in the context of the conference “Helmut Kohl und der erweiterte Mittelmeerraum/ Helmut Kohl and the greater Mediterranean” organized by the Konrad Adenauer Siftung Foundation with the Historical Archives of the European Union, Former Ambassador Prof. Dr. Joachim Bitterlich offered some careful advice on how the European Union might approach future relations with the southern Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East.
For Prof. Dr. Bitterlich, the lack of success in these areas has been due to fear, disunity, lack of understanding, and the north’s tendency to not listen to the south. “We can find the best approach by listening,” he emphasized. “We have to ask these countries what they want, what they need, what we can offer. We have to listen to their needs and interests.”
He also suggested creative alternatives to the EU’s former approaches to diplomacy, development and crisis management in the region. For example, in the case of Tunisia, Bitterlich suggested that Italy and Poland could be best suited to lead, listen, and report back to the Council: Italy has Tunisia’s trust due to the two countries’ close, long-standing relations, and Poland could offer its own success story of lasting economic transformation.
The speech was followed by an intense Q & A period: a chance for the School of Transnational Governance Policy Leader Fellows, masters students and other guests in attendance to gain insights grounded in Bitterlich’s illustrious career in international relations and foreign policy.