Furthermore the EU concluded bilateral preferential agreements with North African countries about 50 years ago. Recent research shows that free trade with the EU has had adverse impacts on the region’s economies. Of course, North African countries cannot avoid opening up to the world market forever. This is especially true of the demand that North African countries adopt EU norms and standards. North African governments are struggling to keep social tensions from escalating further, and they must shore up eroding state institutions.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 08, 2018 00:22 UTC