Abstract (eng)
This thesis discusses the multilayered EU policy towards the southern Mediterranean region. Precisely, it focuses on two diverging aspects: On the one hand, referring to the strengthening of the external borders and enhanced migration control, the European Union has been named a “fortress“. On the other hand, due to its aim to establish close ties with its neighbours based on mutually shared norms and values, a debate on the EU as “civilian power“ evolved. Based upon an analysis of these conflicting terms and their underlying objects and theoretical assumptions, the corresponding EU policies towards the southern Mediterranean region are scrutinised. These are, on the one hand, the integrated border management by the Frontex agency, as well as readmission agreements and databases and information systems for migration control, and, on the other hand, the “Barcelona Process“ and its re-launch the “Union for the Mediterranean“, as well as the European Neighbourhood Policy. The thesis shows that the former, representing a restrictive approach, have developed quite dynamically, while the latter, built upon a more comprehensive approach, have so far widely failed to meet their ambitious goals. Hence, it is concluded that EU policies towards the Mediterranean are not entirely coherent, oscillating between demarcation and integration.