European Union’s External Neighbourhood Policy

The process of unification of the twenty-five EU countries presents many internal difficulties that stem, in the first place, from large spans between thelevels of economic advancement of the individual member countries, but alsofrom certain cultural and civilization differences, as well as from some relicsof historical antagonisms.

However, the internal integration is not tantamount to a policy of isolation ofthe integrated group from closer contacts with its external surroundings. TheEuropean Union is more and more decisively tending towards constructiverapprochement with its eastern and southern (Mediterranean) neighbours, inthe belief that an extensive economic and cultural cooperation will promotepolitical stabilization and general development and help the Union’s neighbours with attaining higher stages of advancement. At the same time, the Union itself will gain greater security and additional economic advantage. Apart from its relations with neighbours, the Union continues to attach importance to tightening the relations with a number of other countries that, thoughspatially more remote, are in many respects closely connected with the Union.This in particular regards the 70 associated African, Caribbean, Pacific and Mercosur Group countries.