Analyses of EU perceptions are commonly justified with the argument that the EU needs to be legitimate and credible in the eyes of the targets to have influence. Yet, we know little about how the EU’s external image is perceived by diplomats and how it influences their practices. Building on research on policy learning and perceptions in foreign policy, we develop a theoretical framework for exploring if and how European diplomatic practices are informed by how diplomats believe the EU and its external relations are perceived externally. We study this question in the context of EU-Mediterranean relations through interviews with officials working in Directorate-Generals with external dimensions. We expect external perceptions to be more influential when the EU perceives to be more/equally dependent on the third state in solving problems, and/or the third state is opening up in the wake of democratic change.
