EUROPA (press release), Belgium
European Neighbourhood Policy: the next steps
Reference: IP/05/236 Date: 02/03/2005
IP/05/236
Brussels, 2 March 2005
European Neighbourhood Policy: the next steps
The Commission has today recommended an intensification of relations with
Egypt and Lebanon, and Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, based on Country
Reports on all five countries published by the European Commission today. On
the basis of these reports, the Council is invited to decide whether to
develop Action Plans under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) with the
three Southern Caucasus countries: the decision has already been taken to
negotiate Action Plans with Egypt and Lebanon, although for Lebanon the
timing will depend on the evolution of the political situation. The purpose
of these Action Plans will be to define a joint agenda for relations with
the EU for the following three to five years, with the objective of
deepening political co operation and economic integration.
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commented `For the Neighbourhood Policy, 2005 will
be the year of delivery – we will begin implementation of the Action Plans
already adopted, develop as soon as possible Action Plans with Egypt,
Lebanon, and, I hope, also for the countries of the Southern Caucasus. The
challenge for the EU and for our partners will be to turn the commitments
and aspirations contained in such Plans into reality, through measurable
reforms bringing concrete benefits for our neighbouring countries and their
citizens.’
Action Plans have already been negotiated with Israel, Jordan, Moldova,
Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine. The Commission has
today adopted Country Reports on five more ENP countries, following
developments in each case: for Egypt whose Association Agreement has entered
into force; Lebanon, where entry into force is imminent; and for the
countries of the Southern Caucasus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, which
were added to the ENP in mid-2004.
The Country Reports give a factual analysis of political, economic and
institutional reforms in the countries concerned, with a particular focus on
areas which would form the basis of any future Action Plans, such as:
Political reform: strengthening democracy, good governance and dialogue on
human rights
Economic reform: including promoting a good business and investment climate
Trade, market and regulatory reforms: promoting trade and helping partner
countries to integrate into the global trading system, encouraging partner
countries to apply the standards of the EU’s internal market
Cooperation in the field of justice, liberty and security: judicial reform
and migration issues
Infrastructure networks (energy, transport and telecommunications,
information society) and cooperation on the environment
People-to-people contacts: education, research and development, culture,
civil society, the opening of certain Community programmes
Addressing challenges and opportunities, bringing added value
The objective of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is to share the
EU’s stability, security and prosperity with neighbouring countries in a way
that is distinct from EU membership. It is designed to prevent the emergence
of new dividing lines in Europe by offering neighbouring countries closer
political, security, economic and cultural co-operation.
Pursuing the ENP will call for major economic and political reforms in our
partner countries, which the EU will support through financial and technical
support, opening of markets and providing access to Community programmes
where possible.
For more information on the European Neighbourhood Policy: