A new neighbourhood policy for the EU

The revolutions in North Africa have exposed the failings of the EU's neighbourhood policy. Rather than fostering democracy, the policy entrenched autocracy. In this policy brief, Charles Grant urges the EU to offer its neighbours more money, markets and mobility – but to tie those benefits to progress on democracy and human rights. He suggests that neighbours be invited to take part in EU foreign policy and that a customs union be established in the Mediterranean. He calls for the neighbourhood policy to become less technocratic and more political. He concludes that Turkey is an example, though an imperfect one, for the Arab countries to follow.