The ENP Strategic Review: the EU and its neighbourhodd at a crossroads
Analysis (web article)
This note focuses on the ENP rather than on the strategic contexts in which the policy unfolds. Based on a realistic assessment of the EU’s limited capacities it argues that the definition of a clear endgame, an ‘association area’ along the EU’s current borders, would provide the ENP and the EU’s partners with a tangible medium-term goal. Clarity on the goal and timeframe of the policy would also allow for better coordination of the different elements of the policy (political and economic integration, democracy promotion, support for civil society, multilateral initiatives, conflict resolution).
While such a basic strategic vision would need to be adjusted to continuously unfolding developments, it could nonetheless function as a guideline for a more coherent, proactive and firm EU policy, both in relations with partner countries and in the interaction with other external actors. The events in North Africa once again demonstrate the magnitude of the challenges the EU faces in its neighbourhood. The review of the ENP provides a good occasion to equip the policy with a strategic vision on how to meet these challenges.
The ENP Strategic Review: the EU and its Neighbourhood was prepared by Sabine Fischer, Senior Research Fellow at the EU Institute for Security Studies and Erwan Lannon, Professor at Ghent University. The experts analyze the positive points of the European Neighbourhood Policy program and mention the necessary measures, which have to be taken.
While the current focus of EU foreign policy is firmly trained on its southern neighbourhood, this paper explains why the EU should not forget about the long-simmering disputes in its Eastern neighbourhood – disputes which might once again require EU responses in the future.
Co-hosted with the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, this seminar explored the EU’s non-recognition and engagement policy to Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the societal and economic aspects of its soft power approach.
This second seminar in the 'Unfinished business in Europe' series focused on Eastern Europe with a particular emphasis on EU and US approaches to regional relations and domestic transformation in the region.
