Almost three years after the start of the Arab uprising, it is time to reflect on what has changed and what has not, as a consequence of the recent developments in the Mediterranean. Some important steps forward have been taken, as reflected by the increasing involvement of civil society organisations, the birth of independent media or the holding of free elections. However, it is still too early to draw conclusions on the outcomes of the transitional processes and remarkable challenges lay ahead for Southern Mediterranean countries. Economy, security and social as well as political polarisation are among the most pressing priorities.

The EuroMeSCo Annual Conference 2013 “A Transforming Arab World: Between Continuity and Change” generated intense debates on the factors behind the current state of play in the Arab world and Euro-Mediterranean relations. The present report is a summary of main points addressed during the conference.