Abstract

The European Union appears to be a major player in the globalization process. In terms of trade, investments, official development assistance flows, it emerges as one of the three poles of the Triad. Nevertheless member countries are not major players when considered one by one. Besides, their weight is decreasing at the global level, both in terms of population, wealth and trade. Up to now the EU has managed to maintain its share in the world population and production, and therefore its major player status, only thanks to the enlargement process. It seems that the European public opinions and political elites are no more eager to support any further enlargement and new candidates are not warmly welcome. The political mainstream is rather the search for a higher competitiveness within a stabilized territory (Lisbon Strategy). But is EU able to maintain its status in the Triad without enlarging to compensate its declining weight in the World? Should not it, at least, reinforce its bilateral relations with its neighbors, mainly the south Mediterranean countries?