Addressing the problem of the EU's credibility. An analysis of European strategies, self-criticisms and arguments after the Mediterranean uprisings.

After the outbreak of popular uprisings in Arab Mediterranean countries in winter 2010-2011 the EU had to revise and adjust its strategies towards the area. Together with actual policies, also the European discourse on democracy and security was amended. Such paradigm shift followed a vivid debate and a self-reflection upon the flaws of the previous strategy, and it required to address the issue of the EU''s credibility in the endeavor. Because of the past shortcomings and double standards, the problem of the credibility of the EU as a promoter of democray in the Mediterranean is central. European policy-makers addressed it through i) self-criticism about the previous strategy, ii) arguments to boost Europe''s credibility. The legacy of the past policies matters and has been the object of self-criticism, especially on the part of the European Parliament. Promoters, objectives, modes and extent of self-criticism on previous European approach towards stability and democracy in the Mediterranean are assessed. On the other hand, the credibility of the shift of EU''s strategy in the region was advocated through specific rhetorical devices, references to Europe''s own story of democratization, rivendication of European leaders'' personal experiences. Such attempts to boost credibility are interesting because they link past and present/future policies and they help to define the space available for Europe''s action. The paper is partly based upon institutional sources, such as statements from EU leaders and top officials, debates that took place in the Parliament, its committee on foreign affairs and the main parliamentary groups. The other main source is the press, since this whole discourse of self-criticism and advocation of credibility is relevant as long as it can be salient in the public sphere. An analysis of European policy-makers'' interviews and columns on main British, French, German and Italian publications is carried out.