The EU and Its Neighbourhood Policy

This Master's Thesis examines whether, and how the normative power of the EU has worked in the European Neighbourhood Policy and its previous forms of cooperation. Beginning with an analysis of theoretical approaches dealing with EU's identity and mainly with the normative power identity developed by Ian Manners and accomplished by Nathalie Tocci, the thesis moves on to an empirical analysis of the ENP and the preceding relations of the EU with its neighbours. Following Ian Manners' tripartite analytical method based on assessment of goals and means applied by a particular foreign policy actor and the impact of its actions, the EU's foreign policy towards its closest neighbours is being examined from the normative power perspective.