Managing energy interdependency in the Western Mediterranean

Abstract

Over the last few years, the unconventional energy revolution has profoundly changed, if not the essence of global energy geopolitics, at least its narrative. This article analyses the impact of such a geo-economic shift for Southern European countries. Despite this development, North Africa will remain the main energy supplier for EU Mediterranean countries. As a consequence, the main shared strategic challenge regarding energy security will be the geopolitical deepening of a wider North Africa. To manage European energy interdependency with the Mediterranean Southern shore in such a changing context a new, credible and more appealing energy narrative for their southern energy partners should be developed. This article proposes some of the elements that could be included to successfully increase energy cooperation in the Western Mediterranean.

Keywords: Euromediterranean energy relations, energy security, unconventional energy revolution, global energy geopolitics, North Africa, European Union.