THE SPECIAL ISSUE ARTICLES CONTRIBUTORS ABOUT THE JOURNAL
The construction of ambiguity and the limits of attraction: Europe and its Neighbourhood Policy by Geoffrey Edwards Abstract The EU's Neighbourhood Policy introduced was a response to competing demands that has resulted in compromise and ambiguity. The EU's enlargement of 2004 shifted the focus eastwards towards new areas of instability in Eastern Europe. The need to balance that newer concern with the problematic Barcelona Process led to proposals for "a ring of friends", from Morocco to Moldova, extended, especially under the influence of new Member States, to include the Southern Caucuses. The resulting ambiguities of purpose, to halt further enlargement for those potentially eligible, while simultaneously encouraging all the "partners" to accept liberalisation, democratisation and convergence on the EC's acquis, have, arguably, not won the Union any great leverage with the new partners. The paper looks at the rationalisation of Member States aims and their interaction with the Commission, largely responsibly for framing the Policy, and how the ENP fits with the EU's.
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