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High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogheriniand
Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement
Negotiations Johannes Hahn are launching today a consultation on
the future of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The ENP
was last reviewed in 2011. Given the significant developments in
the neighbourhood since then, it is now essential to undertake a
fundamental review of the principles on which the policy is
based as well as its scope and how its instruments should be
used.
“The EU has a vital interest in building strong partnerships
with its neighbours.
Recent developments in the region have increased the challenges
we all face: from economic pressures to irregular migration and
security threats. We need a strong policy to be able to tackle
these issues. We also need to understand better the different
aspirations, values and interests of our partners. This is what
the review is about if we are to have a robust political
relationship between our neighbours and us.” said High
Representative/ Vice President Federica Mogherini.
"It's in the EU's own interests to develop peace, stability and
prosperity on its borders. The review will help us work more
effectively to achieve these goals. I want to see a more equal
partnership and one that brings results." added Commissioner
Johannes Hahn.
The aim is to consult as widely as possible both with partners
in the neighbouring countries and with stakeholders across the
EU until the end of June. After this consultation, a
Communication setting out proposals for the future direction of
the ENP will follow in the autumn.
The consultation will follow four priorities: differentiation;
focus; flexibility; ownership & visibility. Five areas where
both sides share common interests have already been identified:
trade and economic development; connectivity; security;
governance; migration and mobility.
Background on the consultation:
President Juncker has indicated that the ENP will be reviewed
within the first year of the new Commission's mandate. To frame
the debate, a joint consultation paper by the European
Commission and the High Representative was adopted on 4 March
2015, setting out some preliminary findings in terms of lessons
learnt from ENP to date, as well as key questions for discussion
with partners and stakeholders.
Background on ENP:
Article 8(1) of the Treaty on European Union states that 'the
Union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring
countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good
neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Union and
characterised by close and peaceful relations based on
cooperation'.
The ENP was designed in 2003 to develop closer relations between
the EU and its neighbouring countries. It covers to the South:
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco,
Palestine, Syria and Tunisia; to the East: Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The objective of the ENP, revised in 2011 following the events
in the Arab world, is to support partners who undertake reforms
towards democracy, rule of law and human rights; to contribute
to their inclusive economic development and to promote a
partnership with societies alongside the relations with
governments. The renewed ENP is strengthening cooperation in the
political and security spheres, to support economic and social
development, creation of growth and jobs, boosting trade and
enhance cooperation in other sectors.
The new
European Neighbourhood Instrument(ENI), with a budget of
€15.4 billion for the period 2014-2020, provides the bulk of
funding to the 16 ENP partner countries. The incentive-based
approach provides for flexibility in modulating financial
assistance on the basis of progress of individual countries
towards democracy and respect of human rights.
For more information:
Joint consultation paper ''Towards a new European Neighbourhood
Policy:
http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/consultation/consultation.pdf
Consultation webpage:
http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/consultation/index_en.htm
European Commission website on Neighbourhood and Enlargement
Negotiations:
http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement
Website of European External Action Service:
http://eeas.europa.eu/enp/index_en.htm
European Neighbourhood Info Centre:
http://www.enpi-info.eu/ |
