Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book uses the case of justice sector reform in the Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood and the Caribbean Forum to illustrate the nexuses between the EU rule of law promotion through trade liberalization and the European Union promotion of the rule of law, broadly defined. It contributes to understanding the actual and potential suitability of "deep" trade agreements as a means of promoting fundamental values, as well as the substance and prospects of the rule of law as an non-trade policy objective. Based on the study of the evolution of the EU external economic policy, and the interplay between the normative and market objectives of the Union, the book introduces the concept of the EU "value-promoting regional trade agreements". It continues with the analysis of the mechanisms of the EU rule of law promotion through trade liberalization.