Perceptions of Mediterranean Countries Towards the European Union: The Case of Libya

This article sought to answer the research question of “how is the European Union (EU) perceived in the outside world as a supranational organization?” Considering this research question, the study aimed to investigate the perceptions of the EU in the Mediterranean countries, which are its closest geographical neighbours. In this context, the study aimed to examine the perceptions of the EU in the Mediterranean region through the example of Libya as a case study. Libya entered a civil war process with the Arab Spring that started in late 2010, and the country became a place known for economic and political instability. The article evaluated the EU's policies regarding developments in the region from the perspective of the Libyan public and elites, starting from the early periods of the Arab Spring. To reach data on public and elite perceptions, the article used survey data conducted by research companies. The findings that emerged because of the survey data showed that Libyans did not have a homogeneous perception of the EU. The Libyan public evaluated the EU based on economic and humanitarian priorities, while the elites evaluated the EU more based on political issues in their countries and regions. In conclusion, the argument of the article is as follows: The normative actor role that the EU has tried to build on the concepts of the rule of law, democracy and human rights has not found a clear response in Libya. In a country with political and economic problems, both the public and the elites have prioritized their interests.