Is the soft power of the EU in the neighboring regions still effective? : [conversation between Edi Rama and Marta Dassù]

Abstract

Over many years, the EU has used its enlargement process and its neighbourhood policy to promote democracy, respect for human rights and economic development at its borders. In recent years, however, the EU’s attraction capacity seems to have declined. Among accession countries, Turkey appears to be abandoning its objective of EU membership. In the “neighbourhood area”, the democratisation process seems to be struggling. The EFTA countries continue to be interested only in the Single Market, with disregard for full EU membership. What has happened to the EU’s capacity to attract neighbourhood interest and membership? How is the EU perceived in neighbouring countries? How can the effectiveness of its action in the neighbouring regions be improved?