Attitudes Towards the European Union in the MENA Region: The Case of Saudi Arabia

What shapes Saudi attitudes toward the European Union (EU)? Previous research has only shed some light on attitudes towards the EU in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This article aims to extend this line of research by investigating Saudi perceptions of the EU in the context of Vision 2030s Strategic Partnership Programme that intends to push forward integration between Saudi Arabia and other regional blocs. Combining literature on Arab public opinion and perceptions of the EU, we argue that attitudes towards prominent countries such as Germany and the United States can serve as heuristics in the formation of Saudi EU attitudes. Moreover, traditional cosmopolitan factors may also have an impact. We empirically test our argument using data from the second wave of the Arab Barometer and an original survey carried out at the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. Our findings confirm that Saudi EU perceptions seem to be informed by their view of the United States but especially of Germany. Having provided evidence on Saudi attitudes toward the EU, we discuss theoretical and methodological implications emanating from our research.