Maghreb
The Maghreb region (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Libya), at the crossroad of Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, stretches across five million square kilometers. The population is concentrated for the most part in rural coastal areas, and natural resources are abundant in the Sahara desert, most notably oil and fossil fuels in Algeria.
Despite cultural and socioeconomic similarities, Maghreb unity is far from being achieved at the beginning of this 21st century. Differences persist between political regimes, and national economies are isolated from one another. Economic exchanges in the Maghreb make up only 5% of its countries’ foreign trade.
The Amadeus Institute believes, along with influential experts and businessmen, that cooperation between the “small” Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia) is a prerequisite for well-managed and effective development in the region. Strengthening economic ties, at the very least, will attract more foreign investment and increase the region’s influence in international political and economic negotiations. Cultural similarities, economic complementarities and opportunities for industry development (tourism, energy, transportation infrastructure) are all factors that should foster cooperation in the region.
The analyses of this theme deal with North African issues: geostrategic stakes of cooperation, civil society’s role, and economic, political and human flows. In order to find common ground, these concerns must be addressed through debates and exchanges, such as the MEDays Forum and the regional conference on governance.
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