Brussels, 18/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - In Washington on 17 May, Catherine Ashton and the American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took stock of several international dossiers of burning importance. As well as the threat of new sanctions against the Syrian regime (see other article), the two senior figures also discussed the democratic developments in progress in North Africa and the Arab world. The EU and the US undertake to support not only the process of democratisation in these countries, but also their economic stability and their development, the High Representative stressed in a joint press conference with Mrs Clinton. For this reason, the EU is developing a "new (neighbourhood) programme" based on the "three Ms: Money, Market access, Mobility", Lady Ashton explained. In this way, the EU will come to the financial rescue, to allow the countries in question to face their short-term economic and social problems. Countries such as Tunisia and Egypt, for example, cannot live from tourism alone, but need investments and economic development. The European Investment Bank could play a vital role in this area, she said. Then, market access. It is not enough simply to open up the European market, but we must also ensure that these countries can benefit from it. "We have to help them to respect our standards (…) and to produce goods we want to buy", Lady Ashton stressed. As for increased mobility, this should mainly be of benefit to young people, "who want to be able to move and study (…) in the EU". The revised neighbourhood policy (the Commission's proposals are expected in the next few days) will be "new, bigger and more ambitious", said Lady Ashton. (H.B./transl.fl)