EuroMeSCo is now opening calls for researchers to take part in the next edition of Joint Study Groups.

The EuroMeSCo Joint Study Groups 2025 will be made up of four Authors, including a Coordinator, who will jointly produce a Policy Study over a period of 6-7 months. Interested researchers may apply as Author or as Author and Coordinator to each Joint Study Group. In both cases, they will have to complete the online form and submit their application by Tuesday 7 January 2025, 23:59 CET.

Here is a brief description of the rationale of this Joint Study Group:

EU trade relations with Southern Mediterranean partners in crisis or conflict

EU free trade relations with its Southern Neighbourhood countries, primarily facilitated through Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements (excluding Syria and Libya), aim to promote economic integration across the Euro-Mediterranean area by removing barriers to trade and investment. However, crises and conflicts in countries in the region have compelled partners to adapt their trade relations and policies. The intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the escalation of conflicts into Lebanon and the broader region, makes it crucial to understand and analyse current trade relations, as well as considering the implications of them. In addition, it would be useful to assess how trade relations may be able to help promote economic stability and cooperation in the region during times of conflict.

Crises and conflicts in the region may also complicate the modernisation of agreements as announced in the February 2021 EU Trade Policy Review, where the EU also announced a new sustainable initiative for interested partners in the Southern Neighbourhood and Africa.

The Joint Study Group could therefore focus on:

• How conflicts and crises in Southern neighbourhood countries have affected trade relations quantitatively and qualitatively, particularly between the EU and Palestine/EU and Lebanon
• How the partners have revised their trade objectives and priorities in accordance with these issues, highlighting temporary or adaptive measures to strengthen economic resilience
• The EU’s role in supporting economic recovery and maintaining trade during times of conflict and/or crisis
• Adress limitations of current agreements in adapting to evolving regional crises
• Propose alternative mechanisms to enhance flexibility and crisis response, refining trade agreements to regard recurring instabilities
• Consider how trade relations can contribute to promote economic stability and cooperation

You may apply to more than one Joint Study Group but may eventually only be selected to join one of them.

See the EuroMeSCo Joint Study Groups 2025 Terms of Reference for more information.