Originally published in 1999, Bridges and Barriers is a detailed study of the European Union's Mediterranean Policy from the initial agreements in the 1960s to the recent Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. The scope of this analysis includes the Maghreb and Mashreq countries in addition to Turkey, Malta, Israel, the Occupied Territories and Cyprus. The authors argue that the limited success of trade and development policy in this region resulted from endogenous and exogenous factors: examples of the former include the lack of the political will necessary to implement trade, aid and reform policies, while the latter include the energy crisis of the 1970s, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Cold War.

'...a most welcome study of the EU's Mediterranean policies. EU scholars have needed a thoroughly researched, clearly written and comprehensive study like this for a long time. A must read for EU scholars and practitioners alike.' Glenda Rosenthal, Columbia University, USA '...very intelligently sidesteps many of the more traditional approaches to Europe's Mediterranean policy...There is an abundance of well-researched information and expert interpretation...offers some unique insights into the institutional dynamics of the relationship.' Dr. Geoffrey Edwards, University of Cambridge, UK 'The strength of this excellent book resides in its global approach combined with a detailed description of specific issues.' World Affairs 'The authors have brilliantly managed to restructure the often confusing Euro-Mediterranean relations into a comprehensive, high quality and intellectually palatable academic work.' Bolletino del CIRT