In the early 2000s, the European Union (EU) enlarged eastwardinto postcommunist territory. This was a successful foreign policystrategy to protect and promote European norms and values.In 2004, the EU decided on a new European Neighborhood Policy(ENP) toward neighboring states. The ENP aimed to create aring of friends. This article assesses the ENP on democratization ineastern and southern partner states, 16 partner states altogether,in 2004–2014. It is argued that, despite the ENP effort to protectEurope by promoting democratic norms and values, the EU’s bordersare under heavy pressure from authoritarianism and politicalinstability.