Download European Neighbourhood Policy - Presentation by Alexis Loeber

The European
Neighbourhood Policy
March 2005
Alexis Loeber
Enlargement is changing the
European neighbourhood
 EU’s 5th Enlargement (2004 / 2007) is
changing political geography of Europe
 EU 25 now has 450 Mio citizens
 EU gains new borders
 New opportunities – new challenges
 Need for greater engagement with
neighbours East & South
European Neighbourhood Policy
Principles:
 ENP is not about enlargement
 ENP opens doors; it does not
close any
 ENP does not replace contractual
framework; it builds on the
existing PCA
What is ENP?
 A specific policy for the new neighbours of the
enlarged EU
 ENP addresses neighbours in the East, the
Mediterranean, and the Southern Caucasus
 … but not countries with an accession perspective
(Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia… )
The EU and its partners
ENP partner countries
 Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus
 [Russian Federation: Strategic Partnership
through the creation of four common
spaces]
 Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
 Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestinian
Authority, Jordan, Egypt, Libya,
Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco
European Neighbourhood Policy
Vision:
Ring of friends, sharing the EU's fundamental
values and objectives, drawn into an
increasingly close relationship,
going beyond co-operation to involve
a significant measure of economic and
political integration
European Neighbourhood Policy
Mutual commitment to common values:
•Rule of law
•Good governance
•Respect for human rights
•The promotion of good neighbourly relations
•Principles of market economy
•Sustainable development
European Neighbourhood Policy
Method:
 Reinvigorate existing relations
 Selectively use experience from
the enlargement process
 Gradual alignment with acquis
European Neighbourhood Policy
•In June 2004, Armenia (with Azerbaijan and Georgia)
included in the ENP
•Commission was invited to report on progress made. Result:
Country Report, presenting:
•Progress under the existing Partnership and
Co-operation Agreement
•Development democracy, the rule of law, human rights
•Regional stability and co-operation in justice
and home affairs
•Economic and social reforms
•Further liberalisation of trade
•Gradual participation in the Internal Market
European Neighbourhood Policy
Based on Country Report for Armenia:
•European Commission recommends
intensification of relations
•Development of an Action Plan
•ENP goes beyond Partnership and
Co operation Agreement
•Significant degree of economic integration
•Deepening of political cooperation
•It is now for the Council of Ministers to decide
European Neighbourhood Policy
Action Plans:
 Key operational instrument
 Country-specific, tailor-made political



documents
Jointly defined priorities for political and
economic reforms
Short & medium term priorities
Guidance for assistance programming
European Neighbourhood Policy
Armenia: Commission recommends Action Plan
which should include:
•Strengthening the rule of law, of democratic structures
and pluralism
•Strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms
•Improvements in the business climate
as well as public sector modernisation
•Further efforts to tackle corruption and fraud
•Reform of tax and customs administrations and legislation
•Progress in poverty reduction
•Progress on sustainable development
and environmental protection
•The decommissioning of the Medzamor Nuclear Power Plant
•Progress towards conflict resolution
and enhanced regional cooperation.
•It is for the Council of Ministers to decide
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument
Objectives:
•progressive economic integration
and deeper political cooperation
•address opportunities and challenges
of EU / neighbour proximity
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument
2000-2006: TACIS €3,1bn
2007-2013:
European Neighbourhood &
Partnership Instrument (ENPI) policy-driven instrument covering
(all) assistance to partners with
simplified approach for cross-border
co-operation, €14,93bn
European Neighbourhood Policy
Conclusions:
 ENP is ambitious offer for new political
framework for relations with neighbours
 ENP is of mutual, long-term interest
 ENP is an EU priority
 EU offers considerable financial and
technical assistance
ENP – More information
Dedicated web site on Europa server
under
“Commission –International Affairs”:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/world/enp/index_en.htm