Pre and post-Lisbon institutional trends in the EU's neighbourhood

Abstract

The agenda of the EU institutions and its Member States has not been always coherent when it comes to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The development of the European Neighbourhood Policy has been significantly affected by the changing Presidency of the Council, where at times the policy has not been paid sufficient attention, or the Southern or Eastern neighbourhood was prioritised due to specific Member State interests. Moreover, the various EU institutions lacked a unified vision of the EU's role in its neighbourhood. As a result, the objectives and the substance of the policy changed from document to document causing many concerns as to its ultimate success. Against this background this chapter analyses the prospects of new institutional dynamics with reference to the Treaty of Lisbon. Landmark developments, such as the establishment of the position of the Presidency of the European Council and of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy will serve as a reference point for evaluating their possible impact on inter-institutional dynamics as regards the neighbourhood policies. Other developments, more specific to the European Neighbourhood Policy, in particular the introduction of a new Article 8 TEU which requires the Union to develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, will be analysed to reveal the implications it might have for the EU institutions and Member States. Most importantly, the rationale behind the introduction of the article will be discussed with a view of evaluating the possibility of overcoming the Member States' fears of neighbours' aspirations to join the EU and thus creating a more united front in the relations with the neighbours of the EU.