European Neighbourhood Policy 2100-ERASMUS-ENPA

The course Neighbourhood Policy of the European Union provides a comprehensive analysis of the European Union’s relations with its neighboring regions through the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The course explores the historical evolution, institutional foundations, strategic objectives, and practical instruments of the ENP as one of the key components of the EU’s external action. Particular attention is devoted to the origins of the ENP following the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union, which fundamentally transformed the EU’s borders and required the development of new mechanisms for cooperation with neighboring states. The course examines how the ENP aims to promote political stability, economic development, democratic governance, and security in the EU’s immediate surroundings without offering immediate prospects of EU membership. Students will analyze the institutional architecture and instruments of the ENP, including Action Plans, Association Agreements, financial assistance instruments, and sectoral cooperation programs. The course also addresses the evolution of the policy through major reforms, including the 2015 review of the ENP, which introduced greater differentiation and flexibility in relations with partner countries. A central focus of the course is the role of the ENP within the broader framework of the European Union foreign and security policy, particularly its relationship with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Eastern Partnership initiative. The course evaluates how these instruments contribute to the EU’s efforts to foster regional stability, economic integration, good governance, and the rule of law in neighboring countries. Special attention is given to regional dimensions of the ENP, including cooperation with countries of Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and the Southern Mediterranean. Through comparative case studies, students will examine the implementation and impact of EU policies in countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Morocco, and Tunisia. These cases illustrate both the opportunities and the challenges of EU engagement in diverse political, economic, and geopolitical contexts. The course also addresses the geopolitical dimension of the ENP, including the influence of external actors such as Russia, Turkey, and other regional powers, as well as the implications of regional conflicts and security crises. Students will critically assess the effectiveness of the ENP in promoting stability, resilience, and cooperation in the EU’s neighboring regions. By combining theoretical perspectives with empirical case studies, the course aims to develop students’ understanding of EU external governance, regional cooperation mechanisms, and the broader dynamics shaping the EU’s relations with its neighbors.