It seems to me that what quite a lot of the developing world needs is for The West(TM) to stop stealing its resources, and stop instigating the wars and propping up the dictatorships that facilitate the looting.
Sarko's recent emphasis on embracing the southern shore of the Mediterranean as part of the European economic zone would seem obviously intelligent and potentially mutually beneficial, if intelligently pursued. The entire Mediterranean basin was once and can again be a single economic area. It is impossible to believe that this idea originated with him. Nor should his advocacy taint the idea.
Development and integration of this area into a common economy on a basis of mutual benefit could greatly enhance the influence of the EU in the world and possibly defuse some of the religious tensions festering in France, Holland and Germany. It would provide a venue for the profitable employment of multi-lingual second and third generation African and North African immigrants to Europe. It could be a win on many levels. As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
