Future Perspectives for the European Neighbourhood Policy

Abstract

By presenting and critically evaluating the renewed approach put forward by the European Commission in the aftermath of the upheavals in the Mediterranean area and beyond, this chapter discusses the EU response to new challenges emerging from the shifting geopolitical scenario in the European neighbourhood as well as the implications for the European Neighbourhood Policy. The aim is to analyse this renewed approach in light of the political instability and difficult economic situation characterizing the entire ”wider Europe”. What has substantially changed compared to past shortcomings of the ENP? Is the EU better equipped with this renewed ENP in responding to the new challenges? After identifying the main aspects of the renewed ENP, the chapter will challenge these with the lessons learned from the application of the ENP incentive-based approach so far, in light of the EU decreasing leverage in the neighbourhood, and given the increasing influence of other key players in the area. Moreover, it will take into consideration the EU’s response to the main conflicts in the neighbourhood, highlighting the lack of coherence between ENP rhetoric and the divergent politics of member States.