Definition
The European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) is the EU’s framework for managing relations with neighboring countries to the east and south of its borders. Its goal is to promote stability, security, and prosperity through closer political association, economic integration, and cooperation, without necessarily offering membership.

Historical Context
The ENP was launched in 2004, shortly after the EU’s “big bang” enlargement brought in ten new members. The EU wanted to avoid creating new dividing lines with its neighbors while extending its influence beyond its borders. It targeted countries in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and the Mediterranean. Over time, the ENP evolved into more specialized initiatives: the Eastern Partnership (EaP) for countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, and the Union for the Mediterranean for North African and Middle Eastern partners.

Practical Examples
Through the ENP, the EU provides financial aid, trade access, and political cooperation in exchange for reforms. For example, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia have signed Association Agreements with the EU, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTAs), bringing them closer to the European market. In the south, Morocco and Tunisia have received support for governance and economic modernization. However, the ENP has struggled in conflict-prone regions, such as Syria or Libya, where EU influence has been limited.

Current Relevance
The ENP remains vital because the EU’s neighborhood is highly unstable. To the east, Russia’s war in Ukraine has transformed the ENP into a geopolitical battleground, with the EU offering candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. To the south, instability in North Africa and the Middle East generates migration flows, energy vulnerabilities, and security risks. The ENP is not just about cooperation—it is also about competition, as Russia, China, and Turkey seek to expand their influence in these same regions.

Future Outlook
The ENP’s effectiveness will depend on the EU’s willingness to invest politically and financially in its neighbors. It will also hinge on balancing inclusiveness with credibility: offering enough incentives to foster reform without making promises the EU cannot keep. Ultimately, the ENP will remain a central tool for projecting stability and influence in the EU’s near abroad.