Spain, the EU and the Mediterranean: From 1985 to the Arab Spring

by Ivan Ureta

How did Spain develop its diplomatic strategies and mechanisms in the Mediterranean to gain diplomatic influence, international recognition and power? How successful were the country’s leaders in balancing the desire to exert independent regional influence with maintaining working relationships with the EU and its member states? Using first-hand interviews with officials and observers directly involved in setting up Spain’s Mediterranean polices Ivan Ureta illustrates how history, geopolitical interests and domestic politics all played their part in the diplomatic process. The author utilizes a wide range of methodological tools to help explain the political, diplomatic and socio-economic trends, mechanisms and processes involved in Spain’s approach to the region and shows how Spain and her European partners failed to commit to the right objectives leading to a range of ambiguous, unproductive policies that paved the way for the Arab Spring and its aftermath.

204 pages, Hardcover

Published December 31, 2023