We date turning points of the reference cycle for 19 countries in the Mediterranean,

for selected regions, and for the area. Cycles phases are asymmetric, with expansions

lasting, on average, much longer than recessions. Cyclical fluctuations are volatile

and not highly correlated across countries. Recessions are not very deep and output

losses limited. Heterogeneities across countries and regions are substantial. There are

time variations in features of Mediterranean business cycles not clearly linked with the

Euro-Mediterranean partnership process. The concordance of cyclical fluctuations in

the region is poorly linked to trade as is its evolution over time.