ABSTRACT
A distinctive feature of this book is the consideration of possible tensions between the EU’s increasing global actorhood and its relations to the near abroad. The two dimensions, regional and global, are not always easy to reconcile. Global responsibilities demand further integration and cohesion, by representing the EU world wide and also more centralized and efficient decision making. The regional dimension, on the other hand, entails both issues, deepening and widening; an enhanced ability to act at the continental and Mediterranean levels, but also a tremendous pressure for wider membership, up to now without any strategically defined borders. Since the first challenge for a new international actor is shaping the near abroad and stabilizing the neighbourhood, this part of the volume is crucial for understanding the EU nature as a new type of actor and power. The size of the club very much matters and the very nature of a regional organization interacts with the internal balance between deepening and enlarging. We will start by analysing the evolving relationship of the EC-EU with the ‘near abroad’, namely with the eastern/continental dimension and with its southern neighbours, between enlargement and neighbourhood policy.
