Does religion matter? In search of a secular rationale of the EU neighbourhood policy: Cases of Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan

Abstract

Recently, controversial issue of the role of Christianity in the formation of European identity has made an important comeback to European public agenda. It is recognised as a basis of law in the European Union’s (EU) constitutional order through the notion such as pluralism, balance and inheritance. It makes the EU’s search for a dialogue with a majority of Muslim countries in the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) rather interesting policy preference. This article examines how the notion of European secularism has been reflected upon European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) regarding the freedom of religion and belief. Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan are chosen as three country cases to observe EU’s position on religious freedom-the major concept of its secular rationale. Analysis of the official documents in regard to EU and revealing requirements and technical/financial support of the ENP for freedom of religion or belief can result in evaluating possible outcomes of whether religion really matters for the EU under the ENP dialogue.