The European neighbourhood policy and the northern dimension

Abstract

This dissertation aims to answer the question: Does the European Union have a uniform framework on the relations with its closest neighbours? To do this it examines the two major policy frameworks that the European Union has established to manage its relations with its closest neighbours. These are the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Northern Dimension. The first part of the dissertation outlines the major theories of regionalism and sub-regionalism and finds two theories that are useful tor answering the research question. The theory of the core periphery is used to compare the basic ideology of the policy frameworks and amended three-dimensional analytical framework is used to compare the structures of the frameworks. Following the theoretical chapter each of the frameworks are examined, and each of their chapters are structured in a similar manner. First it is examined how and why the frameworks were established, next how the frameworks are structured and finally how they are financed. The final chapter is a comparison based on the three earlier chapters. It compares the origins of the policies, how they are structured, how they fire financed and finally an answer is found to the research question. The conclusion is that the frameworks have the same goal, to strengthen the integration between the EU and its neighbourhood. The structures are however quite different, as one is a multilateral framework and the other is a bilateral framework, but if other parallel frameworks are drawn into that analysis the structural differences are downplayed. The ND is a more mature framework that can help guide the ENP's development. The ENP is much stronger however when it comes to funding and could the ND learn much from the ENP in that regard.