Prospects of Russia-Tunisia Cooperation in the Face of New Global Challenges
The author examines the new realities of Russian foreign policy after the Arab Spring and the prospects of Russian influence in the Maghreb and the Mediterranean region, citing bilateral relations with the Republic of Tunisia as an instance. The impact and implications of recent political upheavals in North Africa on domestic and foreign policy of Tunisia are analyzed. Tunisia is considered to be a positive symbol of Arab democratic change in the region and the potential builder of the first modern democracy in the Arab world. At the same time the situation is rather ambiguous as a result of unresolved internal problems and serious external threats. The Russian Federation supports the democratic choice of the Tunisian people and is ready to help its Arab partner in economic development and in the struggle against international terrorism.