The European Neighbourhood Policy

1. The European Neighbourhood Policy “The ETF Advisory Forum Meeting, 30 November 2004” Fredrik Svedang

2. 1st May 2004, 10 new members

3. 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

4. The new map of Europe • EU / EFTA / EEA • Candidate Countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia… ) • Countries which have a “vocation” to membership (Western Balkans) … and the neighbours ?

5. What is ENP? • A specific policy for the new neighbours of the enlarged EU • ENP addresses neighbours in the East (WNIS), the Mediterranean, and the Southern Caucasus • … but not countries with an accession perspective (Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia… )

6. ENP partner countries • Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus • [Russian Federation: Strategic Partnership, 4 Common Spaces] • Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan • Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco

7. The EU and its partners

8. What are the aims of ENP? • Sharing the benefits of enlargement, not creating new dividing lines • Promoting good governance & reform • Creating a “ring of friends”, an area of peace, stability and prosperity based on shared values and common interests

9. Content of the policy • Significant economic integration deepening political co-operation • Based on common values and common interests • Assistance for reforms

10. Common values & interests • Democracy, Human Rights, rule of law; market economy; sustainable development • Stability, security, prosperity; common response to challenges (borders, prosperity gaps, crime, environment, health, terrorism)

11. Principles • ENP is not about enlargement • ENP opens doors; it does not close any • Differentiation • Partnership & joint ownership • Build on existing contractual framework (PCA, AA, Barcelona)

12. Building on current framework • ENP does not replace legal and institutional bases (Assoc. Agreements, Partnership and Co-op. Agreements, Barcelona Process, etc.) • On the contrary, established instruments (Assoc. and Co-op. Councils, Committees, sub-Committees) provide important mechanisms for agreeing and monitoring reform processes

13. Method • Reinvigorate existing relations • Selectively use experience from the enlargement process • Gradual alignment with acquis

14. Added value from ENP • More focused policy approach, bringing together various policy instruments • Upgrade scope and intensity of cooperation • Encourage reforms, economic, political, and social development • Increased financial and technical assistance

15. Steps already taken • Copenhagen European Council 2002: Enlargement and neighbourhood • Task Force Wider Europe (G. Verheugen) • 11 March 2003 Commission Communication - A new policy framework • Conclusions of GAERC and Thessaloniki European Council, June 2003 • 1 July 2003 Commission Communication A new financial instrument • 12 May 04 Strategy Paper, 7 Country Reports

16. Next steps • September 2004: Commission proposes new Financial Instruments 2007-2013 • October: first Action plans with up to 7 countries • Second phase: Action Plans Lebanon, Egypt • Country Reports Southern Caucasus

17. 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

18. Action plans – Main areas • Political Dialog • Economic reforms, regulatory framework • Co-operation in Justice and Home Affairs • Transport, energy, information society, environment • People-to-people exchange, R&D, civil society

19. Example: Free movement of goods • Common objective: liberalise movement of goods in harmonised area • Gain on both sides: increased trade, increased business for testing and certification • Pre-conditions: Aligned legislation on standards, effective administrative bodies

20. Financial support 2000-2006: MEDA €5,3bn, TACIS €3,1bn • 2004- 2006: Neighbourhood Programmes • EIB lending (€2bn Med, €500mio WNIS) 2007-2013:  European Neighbourhood & Partnership Instrument (ENPI) - policy-driven instrument covering (all) assistance to partners with simplified approach for cross-border co-operation, €13,9bn • Participation in Community programmes

21. Technical support – Twinning • Action Plans define priority actions, largely based on acquis • Partner countries need support for legislative alignment and administrative capacity • Twinning and TAIEX proved highly successful during enlargement process

22. Conclusions • ENP is an ambitious offer for a new political framework for EU relations with neighbouring states • ENP is of mutual, long-term interest • ENP is an EU priority, also in the next Financial Perspective 2007-2013 • EU offers considerable financial and technical assistance • How far can we go? – A matter of political will!

23. ENP – More information Dedicated web site on Europa server under “Commission – Europe in the World”: http://europa.eu.int/comm/world/enp/index_en.htm

24. Accession perspective • EU Treaty Art. 49: „Any European State which respects the principles set out in Article 6(1) may apply to become a member of the Union. It shall address its application to the Council, which shall act unanimously after consulting the Commission and after receiving the assent of the European Parliament, which shall act by an absolute majority of its component members.“ • Realism: EU needs to „digest“ enlargement; Partners need time • Logic: There always is an external border!

25. Russia • Strategic partnership via 4 common spaces: • economic (inc. environment and energy) - promote integration via market opening, regulatory convergence, trade facilitation, infrastructure freedom, security and justice – JHA, human rights and fundamental freedoms • external security - partnership on security issues and crisis management • research and education (inc. cultural) - capitalise on strong intellectual and cultural heritage • Work on common spaces draws on elements of ENP that are of common interest to the EU and Russia

26. The new Constitutional Treaty • Simplifies treaties, brings in new arrangements that will enhance EU’s profile in the world and strengthen its capacity to act with partners • Consolidates activities - brings togetherall EU external policies (trade, foreign policy, development and cooperation policies, humanitarian aid) • Reinforces the goal of a common security and defence policy • Includes a new provision to develop the neighbourhood policy