The uprisings in the Arab Mediterranean have urged the international community and chiefly the EU to revise its policies towards the region. While the EU has proved to be a committed and reliable donor, its cooperation policies have done little in enhancing socioeconomic developments prospects in the Southern Mediterranean. The new policies put forward by the European Commission in May 2011 aim at addressing the changing situation in the Arab Mediterranean. After describing the context of the European Neighborhood Policy review, this article reviews the Commission´s proposals to support free trade and democratisation outlined in its May 2011 Communication and provides recommendations to dynamise the EU´s actions in these areas.