Apparently the Euromediterranean partnership (Barcelona Process) has not worked as intended, so people in the Commission are keen to hear any proposals to make it work. Sarkozy is a problem because his Mediterranean Union seems to be outside the EU, and he hasn't even explained what he wants to do, or how. It is a good thing that Merkel is interested in revitalizing the Barcelona Process, but I would also say that there's more to the Mediterranean than immigration. So the need remains, but there's no hope for real progress with Sarkozy.

The European Neighbourhood Policy is the way to go. Within this, the EU has set up a "Black Sea Synergy" which seems to be working quite well. Other similar structures around various sea basins could be set up. One is the Euromediterranean  partnership, but others include the Baltic (where only Russia is not an EU member) and the North Sea (where only Norway is not an EU member). Both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean have geopolitical problems to address, whereas the Baltic and the North Sea can just get on with economic development and integration. My concern is that Sarkozy may push Germany and the rest of Northern and Europe to work on the Baltic and the North Sea basins and neglect the Mediterranean.

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo