Widening without Enlarging: The European Neighborhood and the South Caucasus, Summer 2006

Common definitions of “Europe” locate the South Caucasus just outside. Although it has only recently been included in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP),the South Caucasus is of particular interest because of its geographic location andits energy resources. Since the ENP can be understood as a geopolitical policy intended to create a semi-periphery between the EU and its periphery, the policy seems designed to widen the scope of the EU yet at the same time excluding further enlargement. The South Caucasus fits well into this concept, however – especially with concrete Georgian membership aspirations – the approach needs to be clarified and incentives enhanced in order not to lead to frustration.

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