Consolidation in Times of Crisis: The European Neighbourhood Policy as Chance for Neighbours? European Political Economy Review No. 7 (2007), p. 9-23

The ratification crisis of the European Constitution is accompanied by an increased enlargement fatigue, prompting a revision of the EU’s foreign policy choices. The paper shows that the development of the EU’s relations with its neighbours over the past 15 years has facilitated this process. Whereas enlargement policy has long been the Union’s most efficient foreign policy tool, the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is about to assume this position by incorporating central enlargement policy elements. Although the incentives offered by the ENP are of particular interest to eastern partners, development perspectives for the Mediterranean have also been enhanced