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  • European Neighbourhood Policy: the next steps

    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:

    http://europa.eu.int/comm/world/enp/index_en.htm
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