Recalibrating EU Foreign Policy Toward Tunisia: A Qualitative Document Analysis of Strategic Shifts Before and After the Arab Spring

This article explores the evolution of the European Union’s (EU) foreign policy toward Tunisia from 1995 to 2020, particularly in the context of Tunisia’s democratic transition after the Arab Spring. It addresses the debate surrounding the EU as a “normative power”, which promotes human rights, democracy, and rule of law – juxtaposing it with realist objectives such as security and migration control. Through a qualitative case study, including document analysis and expert interviews, the article examines whether the EU’s actions align with its proclaimed values or strategic interests. Tunisia, as the first Mediterranean country to sign an Association Agreement with the EU and the only successful Arab Spring democracy, offers a unique lens to assess EU foreign policy consistency. The findings indicate shifts in EU priorities post-2011, with security and migration rising in importance, while democracy and human rights remain central to EU rhetoric – though frequently put in the background. The article concludes by assessing whether the EU’s foreign policy reflects neoliberal idealism or realist pragmatism, contributing to the broader debate on EU’s role as an international actor.