Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses specifically on the extent to which the new constitution can be deemed as having seminally altered the legal foundations regarding the control over/authority on foreign policy. It gives a first impression of which foreign policy principles from the past were continued or abandoned by the Essebsi government – for example that of non-intervention – and what new elements were introduced or which new partners were identified, most importantly in the security sector. The book portrays to what extent the EU has modified its policies towards the region since the 'Arab Spring' and explores European actorness in Tunisia by examining whether Tunisian civil society activists perceive European policies as conceived by a united Europe or rather by individual European states. It looks at the bilateral relationship between Turkey and Tunisia which sought to consolidate cooperation by creating new institutions.