{"id":955,"date":"2026-04-15T20:59:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T17:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/i-dynitiki-symvoli-tis-evropaikis-enosis-stin-mesi-anatoli-tou-giorgou-a-emmanouil\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T21:26:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T18:26:46","slug":"i-dynitiki-symvoli-tis-evropaikis-enosis-stin-mesi-anatoli-tou-giorgou-a-emmanouil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/i-dynitiki-symvoli-tis-evropaikis-enosis-stin-mesi-anatoli-tou-giorgou-a-emmanouil\/","title":{"rendered":"THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, by Georgios A. Emmanouil"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u039cap of EU Interreg Programme \u0395\u039d\u0399\/\u039dext Med<\/h3>\n

Between Support, Weak Diplomacy, and the Need for a New Peaceful Vision<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

The European Union has long been the most significant non-military stabilizing actor in the Middle East. In a region marked by armed conflicts, human tragedies, geopolitical tensions, and geostrategic rivalries, the EU has built a model of engagement based on economic support, humanitarian aid, institution-building, and international law.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Although often underestimated in international public debate, its contribution represents the clearest example of \u201csoft power\u201d in a region frequently dominated by military logic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

1. ENI \u2013 NDICI \/ Global Europe and NEXT MED: Pillars of Peace and Development<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

1.1 ENI (European Neighbourhood Instrument) and its successor NDICI\u2013Global Europe<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

With a budget exceeding \u20ac17 billion during 2014\u20132020 (ENI) and \u20ac79.5 billion during 2021\u20132027 (NDICI\u2013Global Europe), the EU\u2019s financial architecture for its neighbourhood has supported:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • institution building, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • health services and infrastructure, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • strengthening civil society, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • actions for refugees, youth, women, NGOs, and local authorities, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • energy and climate transition. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    In Palestine in particular, these funds support essential public functions, health and education services, municipal operations, and the salaries of public employees of the Palestinian Authority.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n

    1.2 The NEXT MED Programme (formerly ENI CBC Med) \u2013 Europe Cooperates from Below<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Through ENI CBC Med (2007\u20132020) and now NEXT MED 2021\u20132027, the EU has funded hundreds of local and regional cooperation projects in:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • green economy and sustainable energy, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • startup support, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • empowerment of women and youth, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • sustainable tourism and cultural heritage, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • local government and social services, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
    • water and waste management. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      In Gaza and the West Bank, NEXT MED projects support:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • social entrepreneurship, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • recycling and circular economy, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • low-cost energy solutions, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • youth digital skills training, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
      • access to clean water and micro-enterprise development. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        This \u201cquiet diplomacy\u201d may not make headlines, but it shapes everyday life and gives hope to thousands of people.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        It is especially significant that in NEXT MED 2021\u20132027, Palestine and Lebanon participate alongside Israel in common projects, while Turkey and Cyprus also cooperate, despite Turkey\u2019s official non-recognition of Cyprus.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        \n

        1.3 Support for the Palestinian Authority \u2013 The EU as the Largest Donor<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

        The European Union is the largest international donor to the Palestinian Authority, mainly through UNRWA, ECHO, and NDICI, providing over 70% of its external funding resources.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

        This includes:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • salaries for teachers and healthcare personnel, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • support for development structures, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • funding for infrastructure and energy security projects, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
        • strengthening local authorities and civil society. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          European funding seeks to preserve the operational and institutional viability of the Palestinian Authority, keeping alive the prospect of a two-state solution under the framework of the United Nations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

          \n

          1.4 The EU and International Law: Commitment to UN Resolutions<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

          The EU consistently supports the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, especially regarding:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • the Palestinians\u2019 right to self-determination, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • condemnation of settlement expansion, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • Jerusalem as the capital of two states, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • recognition that Gaza cannot remain under permanent blockade.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
          • the ongoing occupation of territory of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, which is unacceptable under international law<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Unlike many other international actors, the EU has adopted a clear position based on respect for international law and human rights as prerequisites for peace.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

            \n

            1.5 From a Progressive Perspective: The Need for a More Independent and Active European Diplomacy in the Middle East<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

            Despite its positive contributions, European policy in the Middle East often remains:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • defensive, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            • weak, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            • dependent on U.S. geopolitical priorities, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            • behind developments shaped by war, occupation, and the absence of a political process. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              From a progressive perspective, the region requires far more ambitious, peaceful, and multilateral European initiatives.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              \n

              What Europe Needs to Do in the Coming Years<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

              a. Take the lead in an international peace conference<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

              No more waiting for U.S.-led \u201cmediation\u201d initiatives, which are either one-sided in favor of Israel or fail to progress.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

              \n

              b. Exert political pressure for an immediate end to violence in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

              The EU must demand:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • immediate cessation of violence, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              • unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
              • lifting of the blockade. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n

                c. Substantively support the two-state solution<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

                Not only through declarations, but through:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • recognition of the Palestinian State by all <\/span>EU member states, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                • clear distinction between Israel and occupied territories in product labeling and trade relations, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                • legal use of international jurisdiction through the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n

                  d. Strengthen civil societies, universities, municipalities, and NGOs<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

                  The EU should reinforce democratic actors in Gaza and the West Bank, while also promoting cooperation between democratic Israeli institutions and Palestinian counterparts.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                  These local actors are the ones who can keep hope alive.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n

                  e. Pursue a truly balanced foreign policy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

                  Europe must stop reproducing dependence on U.S.\u2013Israeli strategic choices and instead promote multilateral cooperation based on international law and UN resolutions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n

                  Conclusion: The EU as a Voice of Peace, Dignity, and Solidarity in the Middle East<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

                  The Middle East is a field where Europe can\u2014and must\u2014demonstrate that the world can function differently:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • with respect for life, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • with respect for international law, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • through multilateral cooperation, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • by investing in development instead of conflict, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • by restoring justice instead of perpetuating injustice, <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
                  • by promoting the vision of an East<\/span> Mediterranean and Middle East free of nuclear weapons. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Europe\u2019s strength is not military.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                    Its strength lies in cooperation, diplomacy, economic support, and peace.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

                    That is the main <\/span>role the peoples and citizens of the region expect from the EU\u2014and it is the role that truly suits it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    \u039cap of EU Interreg Programme \u0395\u039d\u0399\/\u039dext Med Between Support, Weak Diplomacy, and the Need for a New Peaceful Vision The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":953,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=955"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":962,"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/955\/revisions\/962"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emmanouilreview.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}