Agro-Food Trade and Policy Issues in the Mediterranean Region

The limited economic stakes involved in the current agricultural trade discussions and negotiations in the Mediterranean region hardly justify the political sensitivities they generate. As a result, agricultural trade conflicts lead to misconceptions, frustrations and taboos, which stand in the way of fuller agricultural collaboration between North and South in the region. This hampers common efforts in such domains as rural development, agricultural research and higher education as well as the efforts of the private sector, which could address important issues and yield high pay offs.