Convergence towards Differentiation: The Case of Mediterranean Energy Corridors

The EU has expressed the will to achieve a pan-European energy community with neighbouring countries based upon EU's energy related acquis. Under such a vision, European neighbours will have to selectively converge towards EU energy rules. The Mediterranean neighbourhood hosts key hydrocarbon producers and transit countries, but also promising sources of renewable energy, where different energy corridors for different sources and geographical origins coexist with a complex set of economic, technical and geopolitical factors. Mediterranean countries' preferences vary accordingly, fostering the differentiation of the acquis to be adopted. However, in order to develop a consistent policy, this article argues that differentiation should be corridor, not country-specific, and be conceived within a coherent framework of incentives.