Defining Security in the Wider Europe Policy - A Critical Assessment

Esther Barbé’s speech started tracing the evolution and inception of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). She first highlighted that these elements have to be understood not only as a consequence of the Eastern enlargement, but also as a response to external demands of some states, particularly those of the Mediterranean Basin, who were afraid of being excluded from the EU’s priorities.

Barbé stressed the change of denomination of the current ENP which was previously denominated ‘Wider Europe’. This previous label raised some concerns among the Mediterranean Partners regarding some sort of EU’s ‘neo-colonial’ ambitions.

For Barbé there is a clear linkage between the ENP and the security concerns of the EU. The Eastern enlargement brought the EU closer to troubled areas and, as a result of a long-term evolution, the EU became aware of the increasing interdependence with their Eastern and Southern neighbours. That is to say, the EU is aware of its own vulnerability. In this context the EU presents itself as a security provider, putting as main objectives the regional cooperation, the non-proliferation, fight to poverty and creation of conditions for national stability and good governance. This in-out approach contrast with the aforementioned outside-in approach that tends to highlight the vulnerability of the EU is areas such as energy or Justice and Home Affairs.

Regarding the methodology of the EU’s approach towards its neighbourhood, Barbé elaborated on some of the more fashionable aspects such as positive conditionality or on the idea of "all but institutions". Nevertheless, Barbé’s critical assessment on the ENP concluded that this policy, both as its methods and agenda are concerned, is not really addressing the root causes of insecurity among the old and the new neighbours of the EU.

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