in: IEMed. Policy Study 8, European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) / Centre for Transportation Studies for the Western Mediterranean (CETMO), Barcelona: European Instutute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), 12 - 21
The 2011 Arab uprisings promised political, economic, and social change for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. Since then, the region has changed, but not as many had expected. This paper discusses the investment strategies of two of the most important international partners for the region: the EU and China. The Global Gateway and Belt and Road strategies are mechanisms for building influence and accessing resources in a competitive global geostrategic environment. There are nevertheless important overlaps and potential synergies that could be exploited for the benefit of MENA societies as well as the EU and China.