European neighbourhood policy

In the wake of its expansion to the east and south, the European Union (EU) faced complex external challenges. It acquired frontiers with countries that were less developed economically, often did not have consolidated democratic systems, and might pose security concerns. The EU has attempted to address these challenges through the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The ENP provides assistance to neighbouring states and seeks to export EU values but does not promise eventual EU membership. With the increased challenges posed by various regime changes and conflicts in the east and the Arab uprisings and their aftermath in the south, the EU had to upgrade its policies and instruments within the ENP framework. This chapter discusses the origins, areas of focus, and instruments of the ENP as well as the challenges and recent developments. It reflects on the ENP as it was occurring until early 2022. The Russian invasion of Ukraine sped up having Ukraine and Moldova become candidate countries. Thus their status has changed since. However, in this chapter they are still discussed as part of the ENP.