Implementing a New EU Security Approach in the Neighbourhood

By easing the border crossing for citizens of neighbour countries, the EU is creating a powerful incentive to get them to sign an EC readmission agreement and to implement reforms in the field of national justice and home affairs.  Yet the positive achievements are undermined by increased controls and travel restrictions from the New Member States following their accession to the Schengen Agreement.

In need to balance contradictory goals, viz., tightly controlling its external borders to guarantee member states' security while establishing closer relationships with non-EU bordering countries to stabilize Europe, the EU requires a new security approach.

Amongst the author's recommendations, a more user-friendly policy, regulations lessening the negative side-effects of the Schengen Eastern Enlargement and EU support in implementating visa and readmission agreements.  In the long run, a strong and effective control of EU borders could embrittle stability in the region lying at its borders.