| Author (Person) | Davies, Eric | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Title | In Focus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series Details | 31.5.04 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publication Date | 31/05/2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
On 12 May 2004, the European Commission issued a Strategy Paper setting out the principles, geographical scope and methodology for implementing the European Neighbourhood Policy proposed in March 2003. Intended 'to prevent the emergence of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and its neighbours', the Policy focuses on 14 countries sub-divided into three groups. One comprises countries to the south: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Tunisia. A second is formed of three eastern states: Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. The third group contains just Russia. Although not part of the original 2003 proposal, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - the Southern Caucasus - have also been earmarked for possible inclusion in the initiative. The Commission would also like to see Libya brought within the scope of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The Strategy Paper does not seek to introduce a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to the countries concerned, but instead envisages a flexible policy, tailored to individual circumstances. Commissioner Günter Verheugen said that the Policy envisages 'a ring of countries, 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. This will bring enormous gains to all involved in terms of increased stability, security and well being. The approach is founded on partnership and joint ownership.' Background In March 2003 the Commission published a Communication entitled 'Wider Europe Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern Neighbours', which considered how the European Union might strengthen its relations 'with those neighbouring countries that do not currently have the perspective of membership of the EU.' That document established the principle that the Union should seek to create a 'ring of friends', with which it can share mutual economic benefits derived from an extended Internal Market (further details of the 2003 Communication can be found in In Focus: The ENP is also seen as a way for the Union to promote security in the wider Europe - an issue which was addressed in the December 2003 European Security Strategy (see Inclusion in the ENP is very definitely not to be seen as a precursor to membership of the Union. Countries which have already applied to join the EU or which are expected to have been excluded from the ENP framework (Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Turkey; it is envisaged that a number of other Balkan states will seek membership at some point, and the Balkans as a whole are thus excluded also). The current Communication takes the form of a Strategy Paper, which proposes how the goals of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) can be achieved. In the words of one of the Commissioners from the new Member States, Joe Borg: 'The current enlargement brings us new neighbours to the east, and decreases the distance to our neighbours on the other side of the Mediterranean. In both directions the EU and its neighbours face common challenges - such as illegal immigration and the threat of terrorism that are often rooted in political instability, poverty and conflict. Overcoming these problems and their root causes is clearly of critical importance to our common interests. The question, then, is not whether we should do our utmost to cooperate with our neighbours in promoting economic growth and the development of political institutions based on the values of democracy and the rule of law. The question is how best to do it.' (Joe Borg: Enlargement and the European Neighbourhood Policy). According to the Commission's Strategy Paper, the 'how' will be achieved via a series of individually agreed Action Plans. Each Action Plan will identify a number of priorities aimed at strengthening commitment to shared values:
Other key areas to be covered by Action Plans will include:
The Commission proposes that Action Plans should be 'differentiated, i.e. tailor-made to reflect the existing state of relations with each country, its needs and capacities as well as common interests.' An Action Plan will cover three to five years. Following discussions with the country concerned, the Commission - which has created a Task Force on Wider Europe - will draft a text for approval by the relevant Cooperation or Association Councils. Where the targets identified in an Action Plan are met, it is suggested that the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreements or Association Agreements could be replaced by a 'privileged partnership in the form of European Neighbourhood Agreements'. From 2007, funding for the initiative is likely to be channelled via a new European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) outlined by the Commission in July 2003 (see In Focus: In the immediate future (i.e. 2004-2006) the ENP would be funded via Neighbourhood Programmes based on enhanced coordination among existing instruments - primarily Tacis and MEDA. The Commission's initiative is not without its critics. Writing in the Financial Times, George Soros worried that 'the plan will be doomed to obscurity if it is allowed to moulder in the European bureaucracy.' (see: A number of concerns over the ENP were also raised in European Voice (
The Commission's Communication reviews progress with the initiative since March 2003 and sets out the next steps. Exploratory talks aimed at identifying the contents of Action Plans are already underway with countries which currently have Partnership and Cooperation Agreements or Association Agreements, and the Commission intends to extend those discussions to the other new neighbours involved in the proposed Policy. Further information within European Sources Online European Sources Online: In Focus
European Sources Online: Financial Times
European Sources Online: European Voice
Further information can be seen in these external links: EU Institutions European Commission
DG Press and Communication
Eric Davies Background and reporting on the week's main stories in the European Union and the wider Europe. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Countries / Regions | Belarus, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
