Changing Perceptions of the European Union in the MENA region before and after the Arab uprisings: the case of Tunisia

The Chapter presents the case of Tunisia’s negotiations with the EU on the issues of migration and mobility, in the larger framework of the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue. The aim is to show that, contrary to the widespread representation of the EU as a fragmented and non-unitary actor, the perceptions by the Tunisian elites during the negotiations of the migration dossier was that of a powerful and steady counterpart, in particular after the Jasmine revolution and the fall of the authoritarian regime. The chapter underlines that the way in which Europe is represented and perceived when negotiating issues strategic for its security and stability may affect domestic politics of its neighbouring countries-