europeanstudiesreview

European Neighbourhood Policy Explained

By Shane Goodman The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is a foreign policy instrument that governs the EU’s relations with sixteen of its neighbouring countries; those being Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in the east, and Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria in the south. Launched alongside the 2004Continue reading “European Neighbourhood Policy Explained”

The EU and the Game of Influence on the Western Balkans

By Myriam Marino Recent international developments contributed to highlighting a weakening position of the European Union (EU) in the Western Balkans. Most notably, since the prospect of an imminent EU membership for Western Balkan countries appears to be gradually fading, the inability of the EU to fulfil long made promises potentially encourages the countries toContinue reading “The EU and the Game of Influence on the Western Balkans”

Are Belarus pushbacks pushing back EU law?

By Gregory Lens Faced with an unprecedented influx of migrants from neighboring Belarus, EU countries on the region’s external borders are taking various measures to prevent and stop migrants from entering their countries. Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are currently confronted with a migration crisis caused by Belarus’ disgraced president Lukashenko, who vowed to flood EuropeContinue reading “Are Belarus pushbacks pushing back EU law?”

Activating the Nuclear Option? EU-UK relations and the Northern Ireland Protocol

By Robin Vandendriessche The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union on January 31st, 2020, when the withdrawal agreement entered into force. As protecting the 1998 Good Friday Agreement was an absolute priority for both parties, an Irish protocol was included in order to keep the land border open. Under the protocol, Northern Ireland stillContinue reading “Activating the Nuclear Option? EU-UK relations and the Northern Ireland Protocol”

Sanctions will not drive Belarus into Putin’s arms

By Jelle Baartmans When Alexander Lukashenko was declared President of Belarus by the Central Election Commission in August 2020 after elections that were far from free and fair, many European countries did not recognize the election results and therefore do not recognize Lukashenko as President of Belarus. Before and after the elections, Belarusians took to theContinue reading “Sanctions will not drive Belarus into Putin’s arms”

State of the Union: is the rule of law necessary for EU citizens?

By Ilaria Sacco In the European Union, September is the time to take stock. It represents the month of the Speech on the State of the Union, an annual address whereby the President of the Commission weighs up the past year and sets the priorities for the one ahead. It also provides a perfect momentContinue reading “State of the Union: is the rule of law necessary for EU citizens?”