Fostering a Dynamic and Stable Neighborhood for Europe

Abstract

This article designs a strategy based on which Europe can increase its internal dynamics, connect with its dynamic neighborhood and stabilize its eastern and southern regions. The envisaged strategy learns from past errors, counteracts “my country first calls”, balances uneven trade and investment pacts, and prevents land and resource grabbing. A new partnership strategy with neighbors in Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa will enable Europe to overcome its growth fatigue. It could help to reshape globalization and convert the current “ring of fire” into a “ring of friends”. Then, together with its neighbors, Europe could still be an important economic region in 2050.

Keywords: European Neighborhood Policy, Marchell Plan for Africa, dependency theory, migration and education

JEL Classification: E02, E61, F13, F42