The EU Neighbourhood Competence under Article 8 TEU

Abstract:

With the Treaty of Lisbon, the European Union has been formally instructed to “develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries” (Article 8 TEU). This new European Policy Analysis examines the nature and object of this broad EU ‘neighbourhood competence’.

It is suggested that despite the mandate to act that it encapsulates, and the profound changes affecting the whole region, the actual engagement of the Union towards the vicinity has not profoundly changed. The EU neighbourhood policy appears to be affected by the disadvantages of its constitutionalisation, and incapable of reaping the latter’s benefits in terms of compelling the Union’s institutions and Member States to act forcefully.