Europe faced with the Arab revolutions

Humour n° -
Published : Friday 11 November 2011 - Élisabeth Guigou
The democratic revolutions in North Africa and the Middle East offer Europe a historic opportunity to build on new foundations in its relations with its south.

Admittedly, the Arab Springs will be long and probably cross stormy periods before democracy takes root lastingly. But the courage of the peoples -especially in Tunisia, Egypt and Syria- bears witness to a deep desire for change. Will this change take place to the benefit of the Islamic parties at the risk of seeing the latter dominate new power arrangements? The risk exists undoubtedly, higher in Egypt than in Tunisia. However, it should be noted that the Revolutions were not started by the Islamists: religious slogans were almost absent from the demonstrations. Also, Europe no longer has a monopoloy over relations with African countries. Emerging countries (Russia, China, India, Brazil) including Turkey, are increasingly present, attracted by consumer markets, raw materials, precious metals, and arable lands (bought massively by China). More and more African students are going to Asia or Latin America as Europe is rationing their access to its universities. Air routes are being set in place between African capitals and Asia, passing via Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, abandoning the traditional routes via Paris and London.


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