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