for a bigger trade market and stable raw material supply. France's influence in these areas is fading, he said, adding that the Union for the Mediterranean could cement France' s position in Northern Africa and spread its influence to West Africa.

"Setting up a union that covers South Europe, Northern Africa and part of the Middle East is one of Sarkozy's diplomatic goals," Shen said in his article.

Sarkozy's original proposal did not include all EU member states, only those along the Mediterranean coast such as France, Italy and Spain-putting France in a position to head the union. Many EU members, especially Germany and the Czech Republic, strongly opposed this plan, Liu Jiansheng, a European studies researcher from the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), told Beijing Review that Germany was afraid a stronger France would threaten its political interests. "As the Mediterranean area is a spot where Eastern and Western cultures get together and clash, it is of special importance to the whole of Europe," Liu said. Establishing a broader union not only ensures a safe backyard for France, but also cultivates a powerful partner for the EU as a whole.

Liu said that the EU approved the Union for the Mediterranean primarily for political reasons. The union can be considered an extension of the EU's enlargement policy in the south, he said. "The EU hopes to assimilate Northern Africa and the Middle East by transferring Western values into these areas, so as to eliminate possible disputes triggered by different cultures, religions and races," he said. Moreover, the union could serve as a new platform for Middle East peace talks.

Economically, the EU can offer more development aid to its new partners in South Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Narrowing the gap between rich and poor countries would create a greater balance in the region. It is also well known that Northern African countries have abundant oil and natural gas resources, which guarantees the EU members' supply. Cheap labor from Northern Africa would save businesses money, while the less developed areas also represent large potential markets for EU exports.

The new union provides many other advantages, Liu said. "The EU and its allies inside the Union for the Mediterranean can join hands in countering terror, coping with climate changes and tackling pollution in the Mediterranean Sea."

Achievements and difficulties

The first summit of the Union for the Mediterranean was marked by several diplomatic achievements.

First, Shen said, it provided a rare opportunity for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Arab leaders to sit at the same meeting table, which Sarkozy hailed as a "gesture of peace." Furthermore, during the meeting, Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas both said they were optimistic about future peace in the Middle East and that the two sides were close to a consensus.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was among the Arab leaders who attended. On July 14, the president participated in a Bastille Day ceremony, which Shen said showed that Syria is ready to return to the international stage with France's help. Prior to the summit, Syria and Lebanon agreed to establish diplomatic relations for the first time since they gained independence, thanking France and Qatar for their mediation. Turkey also hosted indirect talks between Syria and Israel in June.