The european neighborhood policy and its capacity to manage mobility and migration

The European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) was launched by two complimentary documents, drafted in March 2003 and May 2004, both aimed to avoid further separation of the continent, and strengthen relations between the European Union (EU) and its neighboring countries. By providing aid, access to the European market, and cooperation in various fields, the ENP expects the partner countries to improve their economic and political performance. Amongst others, mobility and migration have been acknowledged as serious matters of concern. The 2003 communication from the European Commission, while noting that “[t]he EU and the neighbors have a mutual interest in cooperating, both bilaterally and regionally” (European Commission 2003: 6), called the Union to “assist in reinforcing the neighboring countries’ efforts to combat illegal migration and to establish efficient mechanisms for returns, especially illegal transit migration” (Ibid: 11). Similarly, the 2004 ENP strategy paper confirmed the relevance of “cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration, and management of legal migration and implementation of migration plans” (European Commission 2004a: 23) (Fig. 12.1).