The Geopolitical Implications of the European Neighbourhood Policy.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Purpose/Research Questions

1.3 Methodology

1.4 Theoretical framework

1.5 Chapter Organization

2. European Foreign Policy Discourse

2.1 Discourse of the European Neighbourhood Policy

2.1.2 Neighbourhood Politics

2.1.3 Revival of geopolitics

2.1.4 Geostrategies of the ENP

2.1.5 Social Construction of Neighbourhood and Norm Reception

2.2 The Eastern Dimension and Ukraine

2.3 Security Sector Governance in the Neighbourhood

2.3.1 European Union energy security in the neighbourhood

2.4 Summary

3. Changes in European Foreign Policy

3.1 Changes in European Foreign Policy

3.1.1 Institutional changes

3.1.2 Enlargement as foreign policy tool and the ENP

3.2 Rational Actors

3.2.1 Ukraine –EU relations

3.2.2 Russia

3.3 Ukraine as a regional actor; too weak to escape Russia?

3.4 Summary

4. The Return of History

4.1 The Return of History

4.1.1 Creation of Energy Dependencies

4.2 The Centre –Periphery argument

4.2.1 Benefits and cost- Centre –Periphery argument

4.3 Direct Involvement in Neighbourhood Crises and Politics?

4.3.1 Investment in the neighbourhood

4.3.2 Security and Border Control Dimension

4.4 Schengen border code

4.5 Schengen Information Systems. (SIS)

4.6 Visa Facilitation Regime

4.7 Pockets of Conflicts surrounding Ukraine

5. Conclusion

5. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Themes

The thesis aims to analyze the geopolitical implications of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) with a specific focus on the relationship between the European Union and Ukraine, investigating whether this policy functions as a transformative instrument or a strategic geopolitical tool given the Russian factor and energy dependence.

• Regional versus global geopolitical implications of the ENP
• The impact of energy politics and dependence on EU-neighbourhood relations
• The "Us and Them" matrix and the concept of Europe's borders
• Rational actor analysis in the context of Ukrainian political dynamics
• Security sector governance and border control challenges

Extract from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the foundation of the thesis, outlining the research objectives, methodology, theoretical framework, and the structure of the work.

2. Literature Review: This section provides an academic overview of the European Foreign Policy discourse, examining the development of the ENP, geopolitics, and the Eastern Dimension in relation to Ukraine.

3. Changes in European Foreign Policy: This chapter analyzes the evolution of EU foreign policy, the institutional changes from EPC to CFSP, and the role of enlargement as a policy instrument.

4. The Return of History: This chapter explores the geopolitical mission of the ENP, focusing on the creation of energy dependencies, the centre-periphery dynamics, and the security challenges in the neighbourhood.

5. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the research findings, highlighting the vulnerability of the ENP and the persistent influence of the Russian factor in neighbourhood relations.

Keywords

European Neighbourhood Policy, ENP, European Union, Ukraine, Geopolitics, Energy Security, Eastern Enlargement, Foreign Policy, Rational Choice Institutionalism, Securitization, Russia, Centre-Periphery, Soft Imperialism, Border Control, Regional Integration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this research?

The research focuses on the geopolitical implications of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), specifically analyzing how this policy shapes the EU's relations with its eastern neighbours, using Ukraine as a primary case study.

What are the central thematic fields of the thesis?

The thesis covers European foreign policy discourse, the role of energy security, the geopolitical impact of Russian influence, and the dynamics of security sector governance within the European neighbourhood.

What is the main research question of the work?

The research asks: What are the implications and benefits of the EU relations under the ENP policy with specific reference to Ukraine, considering the regional and global geopolitical consequences?

Which scientific methods are utilized in this study?

The study adopts a qualitative research method, drawing upon journals, articles, textbooks, and official EU documents, as well as publications from prominent research institutions like the EUISS and CEPS.

What does the main body of the work address?

The main body examines the evolution of European foreign policy, the theoretical framework of Rational Choice Institutionalism, the strategic role of energy in regional stability, and the practical challenges of border control and visa facilitation.

Which keywords characterize this thesis?

Key terms include European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), energy security, Russian factor, regional integration, geopolitical implications, and security sector governance.

How does the author characterize the 'Russian Factor'?

The author characterizes the Russian factor as a critical variable in regional stability, noting how Russia leverages its energy dominance and strategic economic ties to maintain influence over former Soviet states, thereby complicating the EU's normative goals.

What conclusion does the author reach regarding the ENP's effectiveness?

The author concludes that the ENP currently appears insufficient in preventing neighbours like Ukraine from remaining within the Russian sphere of influence, largely due to the weak institutional development of these states and the strategic use of the 'energy weapon' by Russia.