Luxembourg, 20/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Union pledges to support countries in the Mediterranean region whose governments undertake real political and economic reform, EU foreign ministers said on Monday 20 June. The ministers said that the EU's revamped neighbourhood policy “will have to live up to the new challenges” in the region, notably in northern Africa and the Middle East, where civil uprisings are challenging the old order. “Transitions may be long and difficult, nonetheless the Council underlines the strong commitment of the EU and member states to accompany and support concrete efforts by the governments genuinely engaged in political and economic reforms, as well as the civil societies”, they said in conclusions from their talks in Luxembourg.
The ministers also said that increased financial support of up to €1.242 billion has been earmarked “to respond to the new challenges and transformations underway” in the neighbourhood area, which also includes eastern Europe. They said the EU would adopt a “more for more” approach, offering increased cooperation, support and economic integration to countries making greater reform efforts. But they underlined that such cooperation “may be reconsidered where reform does not take place”. (LoC)