The Arab Uprisings and the European Union: In Search of a Comprehensive Strategy

Jan Wouters 

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies

Sanderijn Duquet 

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies
January 1, 2013

KU Leuven - Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies Working Paper No. 98 
Abstract:      
Having close historical, geographical, and cultural links with countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the European Union (EU) has been involved in the region for decades. Policies have encompassed challenges related to security, economics, social issues, politics, and legislation. Events during and following the Arab Spring of 2011, however, have triggered the EU to revise its relations with countries in transition. This working paper critically reviews the different policies and instruments at hand to respond to the Arab uprisings. Furthermore, the EU's structural efforts to engage with MENA countries bilaterally, to cooperate with the United Nations (UN) and regional organisations, and to engage with non-state actors are assessed. It is argued that the EU still lacks a long-term strategy in the MENA. Drawing from this analysis, a number of policy suggestions are made in order to enable the EU to address in a more comprehensive manner the rapid changes in the Arab world.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 33

Keywords: Arab spring, Middle East and North Africa, European External Action Service, High Representative, Regional policy, Strategic cooperation, International organisations

Full text available at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2274741