The Security Logic of the European Neighbourhood Policy: The Eastern Dimension
This presentation analyses the evolution of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) as a framework that intends to support and foster stability and security in the countries closest to the EU borders, focusing in its eastern dimension. The European Neighbourhood Policy is an initiative that was launched in 2004 in order to avoid new dividing lines between an enlarged European Union (EU) and its new neighbours, and to contribute to the accomplishment of the European Security Strategy (2003) objectives in building security in the neighbourhood. However, the recent events in Ukraine and the remaining frozen conflicts have been contributing to a more unstable and unsecure neighbourhood, with direct and indirect challenges for the stability of the European space itself. The central argument is that whilst the discourse underlying the reviews of the European Neighbourhood Policy have been prioritising the stabilisation of the region, this policy has not yield in practice the stability and security sought after by the EU. The conclusion suggests that the role of a regional actor such as Russia has not been taking into account, and the European Union must find a balance between its security interests and the contestation of Russia in the shared neighbourhood.
Sofia Martins Gerald’s . sofiageraldes11@gmail.com
University of Coimbra