Introduzione

The 2017 edition of the Report on Mediterranean Economies explores again this year some key issues in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean relations, focusing on the analysis of the labour market, strongly influenced by the demographic transition still taking place on the southern and eastern shores of the basin, which in turn determines the migratory pressures coming from these countries. The seriousness and scale of the current political crisis requires a change in the perspective of Euro-Mediterranean relations and an effort to re-read the very concept of integration between the countries of the area, which cannot fail to take into account the epochal transformations that have taken place since 1995 and which see the shift towards the East of the world's economic balances, the change in the relationship of strength between regional actors, and the logistical importance of the MENA area projected towards the continent at the end of the year. The Report, as is tradition, aims to make available analyses and statistical data to experts, students and researchers who can, on the one hand contribute to a greater awareness of problems and their evolution, and on the other hand provide political decision-makers with useful guidelines for Italy's foreign policy, a country whose political, economic and social stability is inextricably linked to the destinies of the Mediterranean.