The External Border Policy of the European Union – New Theoretical Approach
The External Border Policy of the European Union – New Theoretical Approach

Summary/Abstract: The paper presents a proposal of a new perspective as regards the way of defining the EU’s policy concerning the functional dimension of its borders. Thus, it comprises a counterproposal to the narrow definition of the whole policy, limited to the issues of border control and the principles of border crossing. In this approach, the EU’s border policy constitutes a kind of political framework for three programmes, implemented under three separate sectors of this policy, programmes of the EU activity oriented towards: cross-border cooperation of local communities; the establishment of tightened control and border protection and finally the stabilisation of the EU outside its borders. This is a three – dimensional, internally diverse policy of the EU, the implementation of which – depending on the dimension – is carried out by means of financial, legal or political instruments. This proposal constitutes a more complex approach to the analysis of the EU policy towards its borders and provides the opportunity to consider a particular EU border from the perspective of the level of isolation of border areas, the degree of permeability of the border control regime and of the “friendliness” or “hostility” of relations with neighbouring countries. It seems that such a perspective can better convey the diverse character of the EU’s external borders and determine their actual level of openness or closeness.

• Details
• Contents