Abstract The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) has had a troubled infancy. French ideas for enhanced Euro-Mediterranean co-operation, influenced by functionalism, actually brought increased disputation among the partners during its first two years. There has been deep disagreement over whether European Union (EU) Mediterranean policy should be based on common positions or accommodate French leadership ambitions. Adverse external conditions have affected the prospects of the infant UfM, but so too have intra-EU differences and problematical institutional structures.