For a long time the European Communities pursued a reactive, rather than a proactive policy stance towards the Mediterranean, insofar as they tended to follow events, not influence them beforehand. No overall policy concept emerged, probably because of differences of interest among EC/EU memberstates. Several agreements were reached with individual Mediterranean countries, however, they were limited by being bilateral and having no multicultural or institutional background.

The Community's policy towards the Mediterranean had changed by the 1990s. As the Cold War ceased, the problems moved from the Eastern part of Europe to the South. In December 1990, the 12 member-states introduced a 'New Mediterranean Policy'. Despite a good start, the eventual results were insufficient for the Mediterranean countries. The funds came mostly from the European Bank and investments were not executed because of the risks. The protectionist trade policies of the EC left the Mediterranean region with a trade deficit with the Community. The aid extended was clearly insufficient to treat the social problems, and that the economies of the developing countries called for a different breakdown of the aid programme.

The EU wished to formulate a geopolitical concept responding to the common issues, especially the destabilizing factors (the demographic boom, emigration, developmental differences, and the strengthening of Islamic integration) and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These issues called for a global, coordinated approach.

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Examining the future of relations, the most important aspect is that the CEE countries have real chances of full membership and almost all countries in the group have an association agreement with the EU. The latter is the case with only three of the Mediterranean countries. This means that the CEE countries face a prospect of steady integration, as true partners of the EU, while the Mediterranean countries' chances of economic breakthrough are fewer and less certain.