The article deals with the rivalry of world politics key actors for the Mediterranean region and its rich natural resources. Particular attention is paid to such programs as Barcelona Process, Mediterranean Union, and «North African economic partnership». It is underlined that Barcelona process as a basic European project proved incapable to overcome contradictions to achieve the desired goals. In 2008 the Union for the Mediterranean with more attainable goals was established but the conflict potential in the region overweighed economic cooperation benefits. The USA in its turn concentrated on cooperation with Maghreb countries, supporting young North African businessmen, adjusting regional business and science cooperation as well as supporting innovative projects.

It is marked in the paper that when competing with the USA European position is weakened due to French-German contention. So if EU is not able to establish effective and really effective projects in the nearest future, there will be a question not only of competition with the USA, but about catastrophic ebbing of European influence in the Mediterranean region in general.