The European Neighbourhood Policy, Brexit, and the Legacy of Empire: Shaping Europe's Future

The European Neighbourhood Policy, Brexit, and the Legacy of Empire: Shaping Europe's Future

Introduction:
The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was established with the vision of creating a 'ring of friends' at Europe's borders. However, after a decade of implementation, the EU finds itself surrounded by a 'ring of fire'. While the ENP has facilitated closer political and economic integration with neighbouring countries, it has failed to achieve its key aims of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity. In response, the 2015 ENP review adjusted the policy's conception, focusing on stabilization and joint interests in security and migration. This paper explores the connection between the ENP, Brexit, and Britain's imperial history, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for shaping a more strategic ENP.

The Conception-Performance Gap and Adjustments in the ENP:
The ENP's conception-performance gap is a critical factor in its ability to achieve its objectives. While the policy aimed to promote peace, stability, and prosperity, it fell short due to various factors. The 2015 ENP review acknowledged this gap and adjusted the policy to better reflect the realities in the neighbourhood. By lowering the EU's ambition and refocusing on stabilization and joint interests, the ENP seeks to address the shortcomings and enhance its performance.

The Role of Britain's Imperial Nostalgia in Brexit:
Brexit is not only an expression of nostalgia for empire but also the result of Britain's discomfort at its diminished role within the EU. Britain's imperial history, which it has long refused to confront, played a significant role in the EU referendum and influenced its outcome. The country's unaddressed and unredressed colonial past continues to haunt its relationship with the EU. This imperial nostalgia has fueled Britain's desire to strengthen economic ties with Commonwealth countries as an alternative to its deteriorating relationship with European neighbours.

Implications for the European Neighbourhood Policy:
Britain's decision to leave the EU has broader implications for the ENP. As the EU seeks to shape a more strategic ENP that balances values and interests, it must consider the challenges posed by Brexit and Britain's imperial history. The ENP's future performance will be shaped by four cleavages: the EU's ability to balance values and interests, the impact of Brexit on the EU's neighbourhood, the role of migration in shaping the ENP, and the need for increased security cooperation. Addressing these cleavages will be crucial for the ENP's effectiveness in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity.

Actionable Advice:

1. Foster a balanced approach: The EU should strive to strike the necessary balance between values and interests when shaping the ENP. This requires acknowledging the diverse interests and perspectives of both the EU and its neighbouring countries.

2. Strengthen regional cooperation: In light of Brexit, the EU should focus on strengthening regional cooperation within its neighbourhood. This includes fostering closer ties with neighbouring countries and promoting joint initiatives to address common challenges such as security and migration.

3. Address historical legacies: To move forward, the EU must confront and address its colonial past. By acknowledging the historical injustices and promoting reconciliation, the EU can build stronger relationships with its neighbours and overcome the lingering effects of imperialism.

Conclusion:
The European Neighbourhood Policy faces significant challenges in achieving its objectives of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity. The adjustments made in the 2015 ENP review provide a framework for addressing the policy's conception-performance gap. Additionally, Brexit and Britain's imperial history add complexity to the ENP's future performance. By fostering a balanced approach, strengthening regional cooperation, and addressing historical legacies, the EU can shape a more strategic ENP that effectively promotes peace and stability in its neighbourhood.