From Mitterrand to Sarkozy : the development of France's foreign policy towards the Mediterranean

Abstract

The Purpose of this thesis is to highlight the similarities and differences as well the continuities and discontinuities in French Foreign Policy vis a vis the Mediterranean during the Republic's last three presidencies. I chose this topic since France went through various political systems from 1982 onwards, as such it would be interesting to see how France's Foreign Policy aims have changed from François Mitterrand's election as the first Socialist President in 1982 to today's current Presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy and his grandiose plan of a Union for the Mediterranean. I will first start by giving a historical background of the importance of the Mediterranean basin and the role that France played in this region since Ancient times. The first Chapter will look at the changes in Ji'ronch Ji'oroign Policy towards this Mediterranean littoral from 1982 to 1995 during the Presidency of the François Mitterrand whose attitude shifted from pro-Colonial to pro- Europeanism. The second Chapter will deal with the presidency of Jacques Chirac who's policies where accentuated by a clear pro-Arab stance and whose foreign policies vis-a-vis the Mediterranean were in unison with the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in 1995. The final chapter will specifically look at the policies towards the Mediterranean under Nicolas Sarkosy, in particular, attention will be given to his regional integration initiative, the Union for the Mediterranean and its successes and failures.