Explaining EU policy adaption towards the European Neighbourhood in the light of rising authoritarianism

Since the early 2000s, the EU wishes to support a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood in which democracy can flourish. However, two decades later, the Union's Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods are still characterized by resilient authoritarianism, processes of de-democratization, frozen conflicts, and war. To what extent has the EU adapted its European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) to this context and what causes its (lack of) adaption? The paper analyses ENP policy papers of EU bodies (Commission, Parliament, Council) over the last two decades to reveal scope and content of actual policy changes. Interviews with selected EUDP stakeholders shed light on reform dynamics and blockages. It is argued that the EU indeed responds to changing political circumstances in an increasingly multipolar and authoritarian world at the country-specific level, but the EU-internal blockages prevent a more substantial and more efficient policy adaption of its entire ENP framework.