Teacher(s)
Language
English
Main themes
This course examines the relations of the European Union with the countries in its immediate neighbourhood. It focuses on three regions: the Eastern neighbourhood (Eastern Europe), the Southern neighbourhood (Middle East and North Africa), and the Western Balkans.
While the EU’s relations with the first two regions are governed under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the relations with the third region and with Turkey are taking place in the framework of enlargement policy. Yet, the distinction between the ENP and enlargement policy has become more blurry since the Russian invasion in Ukraine in 2022, with enlargement policy now also being applicable to parts of the Eastern neighbourhood.
The course sheds lights on the history of the relations between EU and these countries, on the institutional and legal dimensions of neighbourhood and enlargement policies, and on the recent political events impacting these relations and policies.
Through this course, students gain an in-depth understanding of the multi-faceted policies of the EU (including security, aid, energy and migration issues) towards these three regions, as well as of the challenges the EU is facing.
While the EU’s relations with the first two regions are governed under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the relations with the third region and with Turkey are taking place in the framework of enlargement policy. Yet, the distinction between the ENP and enlargement policy has become more blurry since the Russian invasion in Ukraine in 2022, with enlargement policy now also being applicable to parts of the Eastern neighbourhood.
The course sheds lights on the history of the relations between EU and these countries, on the institutional and legal dimensions of neighbourhood and enlargement policies, and on the recent political events impacting these relations and policies.
Through this course, students gain an in-depth understanding of the multi-faceted policies of the EU (including security, aid, energy and migration issues) towards these three regions, as well as of the challenges the EU is facing.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | understand the historical and political dynamics of the EU’s relations with accession and neighbourhood countries |
| 2 | describe the EU’s policy instruments and policy frameworks applied towards the countries in the Eastern neighbourhood, Southern neighbourhood and Western Balkans |
| 3 | critically assess the challenges faced by the EU in its relations with candidate and neighbourhood countries |
Content
This course examines the relations of the European Union with the countries in its immediate neighborhood through the prism of its neighborhood and enlargement policy. It distinguishes three regions: the Eastern neighborhood (Eastern Europe), the Southern neighborhood (Middle East and North Africa), and the Western Balkans.
A clear difference is made between countries either officially candidates or that could become one (Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia) and those for whom membership is excluded or constitutes an extremely distant prospect.
The course sheds light on the history of the relations between EU and these countries, on the institutional and legal dimensions of neighbourhood and enlargement policies, and on the recent political events impacting these relations and policies. It also suppose to study internal dynamics in neighboring countries.
The course is not limited to neighborhood policy stricto sensu, but will address several other European policies that have a direct impact on our relations with these states. Hence, through this course, students gain an in-depth understanding of the multi-faceted policies of the EU (including security, aid, energy and migration issues) towards these three regions, as well as of the challenges the EU is facing in its relation with these countries.
A clear difference is made between countries either officially candidates or that could become one (Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia) and those for whom membership is excluded or constitutes an extremely distant prospect.
The course sheds light on the history of the relations between EU and these countries, on the institutional and legal dimensions of neighbourhood and enlargement policies, and on the recent political events impacting these relations and policies. It also suppose to study internal dynamics in neighboring countries.
The course is not limited to neighborhood policy stricto sensu, but will address several other European policies that have a direct impact on our relations with these states. Hence, through this course, students gain an in-depth understanding of the multi-faceted policies of the EU (including security, aid, energy and migration issues) towards these three regions, as well as of the challenges the EU is facing in its relation with these countries.
Teaching methods
Lectures and discussions based on articles and documents.
External speakers are invited to address specific topics related to the course. They could be academic experts or practitioners working in European institutions.
External speakers are invited to address specific topics related to the course. They could be academic experts or practitioners working in European institutions.
Evaluation methods
Students will divide into groups and choose a topic for study that has been approved by the teacher. Students will be assessed as follows:
- 30% oral participation/oral presentation of the topic
- 60% final exam (written or oral exam depending on the number of students enrolled)
- 10% class participation
- 30% oral participation/oral presentation of the topic
- 60% final exam (written or oral exam depending on the number of students enrolled)
- 10% class participation
Online resources
The PowerPoint presentations of the course, the required readings, and a bibliography will be available on the Moodle platform.
Faculty or entity
