In the aftermath of the Iraq war, civil society has received increasing attention in the wider debate about political reform in the Southern Mediterranean region. In early 2004, Arab governments used civil society events to legitimate the claim that political reform should evolve from within countries rather than being imposed from outside. It is therefore an appropriate moment to look at the role of civil society in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP).

Critics of the EMP say that it has failed to bring about peace, stability and dialogue. This paper attempts to shed more light on why civil society cooperation has not produced more visible macro-level results. The article makes a twofold contribution: it lists arguments favouring greater political determination and resolute reform action on both sides of the Mediterranean. Second, it reflects on how existing strategies and instruments can be made more effective.